An 8.5-inch Commodore Chelsea clock, Base & ball base. Special dial. Ship's Bell strike. It was retailed by E. P. Roberts & Sons. Inc. Pittsburgh, PA. 226059.
Chelsea referred to this case style as the “Base and Ball.” The brass case is heavy and has a polished bronze finish with a slight reddish tint, known as rose brass. Over time, the surface has mellowed to a pleasing color. The serial number "59176" is die-stamped on both the bottom of the case and the backplate of the movement. These matching numbers show the clock was made around 1910.
The pedestal at the bottom measures 16.5 inches wide and 6 inches deep. The bezel is about 14.25 inches in diameter, hinged on the right, and fitted with glass. It opens from the left, making it easy to reach the dial.
The dial is 8.5 inches in diameter and features the Special option. Made of brass with a silvered finish, it measures about 10 inches across. The raised Arabic hour numerals are applied, and the closed minute ring is painted. The retailer's name, “E. P. ROBERTS & SONS. INC. / PITTSBURGH,” is signed on the dial, with the rating adjustment just below.
E. P. Roberts & Sons, Inc. was a respected jeweler in Pittsburgh, PA. The business started in 1875 and was located at 233 Fifth Avenue in the city's commercial district.
The movement is high quality, spring-wound, and runs for eight days. It strikes on the hour and half hour in a nautical time sequence: at 12:30, it strikes once; at 1:00, twice; and it adds one strike at each half-hour until 4:00, when it strikes eight times. The sequence repeats at 8:30. The escapement has a balance wheel, so the clock can run in unstable conditions and while being moved. The movement's plates are circular, and the back plate is die-stamped with company information.
Inventory number 226059.
The Chelsea Clock Company Board of Directors met for the first time on July 28, 1897. The Board consisted of Whipple N. Potter, Jr., President, Charles H. Pearson, Treasurer, Reginald Foster, Clerk and Secretary. Allen L. Shepherd served on the Board with the elected officers. This first group of individuals was not together long. The Chelsea firm persevered and has enjoyed a long run of success as a result of making clocks of superior manufacture. This company made many clocks. Some of which were in the style of the Willard timepiece or banjo clock, the E. Howard Model No., 70 and more famously, marine clocks. This company remains in business today.
