E. Howard & Company Boston. The Model No. 89. Railroad Regulator. Fitted up on 1/7/1910 and featuring a 4 jar mercury pendulum and a minute contact. 221112.
This regulator was fitted up on January 7, 1910, and features a 4-jar mercury pendulum and a minute contact. This may be the last mercury pendulum regulator, the E. Howard Clock Company manufactured?
The E. Howard Clock Company claimed in their sales literature that Railroad Regulators are, as a rule, subjected to more exposure to the changes of weather than almost any other regulator in use. As a result, it is important that they be as accurate and reliable as those in service in less exposed positions. The construction of this walnut example is designed to have minimal effect due to changes that result in expansion, contraction, and wrapping caused by wet and dry, warm and cold weather. These changes of elements will have little effect on the model 89’s time-keeping ability. This model was specially designed for commercial applications and was used extensively by jewelers, watchmakers, and train dispatchers. It was advertised by the E. Howard firm as .”... the best regulator value on the market,” selling for $75.00 in and about 1900.
This model was first introduced in January of 1888 when 68 clocks were ordered by the Erie Railroad. These clocks were to be set up in the stations on their rail line, including the New York Line, the Erie, PA Line, and the Western Railroad Line. At first, they were referred to as “Erie Regulators.” The name changed in July 1888 when they were called the “No. 89.”
The Model 89’s ability to keep very good time was tested in August of 1889. Ten regulators were tested and observed. These were located on the following railroad lines: the Buffalo, B. & S. W., the Niagara Falls division of the New York Line, the Lake Erie Line, and the Western Railroads. These ten clocks had an average variation from the mean of only 8.9 seconds over the period of one month time. The greatest variation was measured at 24 seconds. A clock located in the Wabash Station in Moberly, Missouri, ran 18 days right on time and 30 days with only three seconds of variation. A clock at the Union Depot in Cleveland, Ohio, ran 16 weeks with an extreme variation of only 3 seconds in any one week. As a result, this model has developed a reputation for being a very sound timekeeper.
This is a very good and usual example. The case is constructed in walnut. (The vast majority of model 89’s were constructed in oak.) The recent refinishing of the case promotes and features the wood grain. The design of the case incorporates several decorative details in its construction. Some examples of these details are the long-reeded moldings that frame the door and turned finials located at the top and bottom of the case. The large door, located on the front of the case, is fitted with a large piece of clear glass. Through this door, one can view the painted 12-inch diameter zinc dial, which the Maker signs in block lettering. The time ring is formatted with Roman-style hour numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial. The area inside the second ring is cut out so one can view part of the brass-made mechanism. This dial traditionally would have been trimmed with a thin walnut bezel or ring, which is now missing. The dial mounts directly to the movement with four screws that thread into four brass dial feet that are attached to the front plate of the works. This design does not allow it to come in contact with the case. The pendulum fitted to this example is designed to compensate for changes in temperature. Pendulums like this could be specially ordered at an additional cost. In this case, the compensating pendulum costs as much as the standard version of this clock. The steel rod hangs in front of the mechanism. The brass frame at the bottom supports four steel jars. These are sealed and contain enough liquid mercury to compensate for the change in length of the steel rod as affected by temperature. Without compensation, the rate will be changed based on temperature variations. As the temperature increases, the rod expands or lengthens; the opposite is true. This pendulum is stamped with the number “456.” To my knowledge, this is currently the highest number recorded in the available E. Howard records. It is also stamped with the date 1-7-1910, which is most likely the date of manufacture. Mercury Pendulums like this one sold for an additional $75.
The weight-driven movement is very good quality. It is framed with two large brass rectangular-shaped plates. The front plate is die-stamped by the Maker in the upper left-hand corner. This reads, “E. Howard & Co. / BOSTON / 1.” The movement is designed to run for eight days on a single wind. It features a Graham dead-beat escapement and maintaining power. The movement is wound with a crank key. A Geneva Stop prevents one from overwinding this clock. The original cast iron weight descends directly below the movement. It is hidden from view by the wooden channel constructed inside the case. This clock is also fitted with an electrical contact. This is now intact but disconnected. Howard fitted a number of their big regulators with electric contacts. This was at an additional cost of $25.
This is a large and impressive clock. I estimate that this example originally cost $175 with the addition of the mercury pendulum and the electrical contacts. The case measures 65 inches long by 19 & 5/8 inches wide and 6 & 7/8 inches deep. It was made in 1910.
Inventory number 221112.
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.
