E. Howard & Co. Model No. 70-12 wall clock with the September 22, 1891 Program Patent unit installed. 222067.
On September 22, 1891, Frank Edwin Smith of San Jose, California, was granted patent No.459917 for the improvements in Electric Programme-Contacts for Time-Pieces. This new design completes an electrical circuit at any predetermined time. This was used to ring an alarm bell or other suitable device operated by a current of electricity. (We currently have it set up to turn a light on and off inside the case.)
This unusual Model 70 is in excellent overall condition. The oak case retains a tinted red finish.
The clock features a special or customized dial. It is zinc and measures 12 inches in diameter. It is paint-decorated and is in original condition. The dial features a closed minute ring and large Roman-style hour numerals. It is signed in block lettering, "E. Howard & Co. / BOSTON," is above hour VI. It differs because the minute ring is drilled out at the hours to accept contacts. Currently, contact pins are positioned at the XII and VI locations. In addition, a brass ring is fitted on the dial inside the time ring. This ring is drilled with 144 holes, four per minute. The holes will accept pins. Pins are currently inserted at the 15, 30, 45, and 60-minute locations. The spade-shaped hands display the time. Both hands are fitted with contacts. The contacts interact with the pins as the hands rotate around the dial. When the hands travel over the pins, an electric circuit is completed. As a result, the completed circuit sends electricity to a bell in the building. This infrastructure, along with the weight-driven movement, is located behind the dial.
The brass, eight-day, weight-driven clock mechanism is of excellent quality, a testament to the craftsmanship of the Howard Clock Company. The Howard Clock Company guaranteed this model not to vary more than one minute a month. The movement is fastened to a large brass plate mounted to the backboard. Four-turned pillars support the two rectangular-shaped brass plates. The movement plates are finished in nickel. The Maker’s name and model number “70” are die-stamped into the front plate of the works. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions, brass gearing, and recoil escapement. The pendulum hangs from the bridge on the front of the movement. A wooden rod supports a bob that is zinc and covered in brass. The bob swings in front of a painted wooden weight board. The cast iron weight is stamped with the number “70.” The brass mounting plate behind the works is die-stamped with the number “5.” The two brass rings are mounted to this back plate via brass standoffs. The rings are wired together to complete the circuit when the hands make the contacts.
The lower door features a painted glass. The paint is applied from the back in the traditional Howard colors of black, red, and gold.
This fine example was made circa 1910. The case measures approximately 32 inches long overall.
The Model 70 was successfully sold. It was used extensively in the Boston Public School System, in the various Boroughs of Greater New York, and in many other places as the Standard School Clock. The United States Government specified it as the “Standard for all Public Buildings.” One would also see this model in many of the nation’s railroad stations, including The Elevated Railroad Stations of New York City, The Pennsylvania Railroad Company, The Central Railroad of New Jersey, The West Shore Railroad of Boston & Albany, and nearly all Railroad Companies throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
It is inventory number 223007.
The E. Howard & Company represents a significant chapter in American horological history, continuing the legacy of the esteemed Howard & Davis firm after 1857. Established in 1842 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Howard & Davis was the brainchild of Edward Howard and David Porter Davis, both of whom trained under the legendary Aaron Willard Jr. Their early work set new standards for precision timekeeping and craftsmanship in 19th-century America. The firm’s innovations extended beyond clocks to include balances, sewing machines, fire engines, and watches—demonstrating a remarkable breadth of technical achievement. By 1852, their manufactory was a landmark in Roxbury, as seen on period maps. Following the dissolution of Howard & Davis, Edward Howard’s vision propelled him to become Boston’s leading maker of weight-driven clocks, catering to both residential and commercial needs. Notably, the company played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of American tower clocks and advanced timekeeping systems during the late 1800s, contributing to the growing network of public and institutional clocks across the country. The completion of a new factory complex in 1873 further cemented their influence, with separate facilities for clocks and watches reflecting the scale and ambition of their operations.
The legacy of the E. Howard Clock Company endures as one of the most respected in American horology. Renowned for its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, the company never produced an inexpensive clock; instead, it set benchmarks for accuracy, durability, and elegance. Its clocks became the standard in schools, public buildings, and railway stations across the country, marking significant moments in the nation’s growth. Collectors and institutions alike prize Howard clocks for their superior craftsmanship and historical importance. Today, the E. Howard name remains synonymous with exceptional quality, technical achievement, and an enduring influence on the art and science of clockmaking.
