Smith & Goodrich Bristol, Conn. 30-hour fusee steeple clock. BBB-39.

A rare steeple clock made by Samuel B. Smith & Chauncey Goodrich of the firm Smith & Goodrich, Bristol, Connecticut. Both men worked with J. C. Brown until 1844, when they formed their own company. By 1850, they were making approximately 15,000 clocks annually. The Smith & Goodrich firm ended in 1852.

This steeple clock stands 19.75 inches tall. The case is veneered in richly grained mahogany and retains an old finish that has been rubbed and waxed. The chocolate-brown color has a reddish undertone and is visually pleasing. The clock features pointed cone-shaped spires. Often, the fragile points on steeple clocks have been compromised. The spire points on this fine example are well preserved and retain their full height. The front of the case has a door. The lower panel is decorated with a transfer colored from the back. This original glass is in excellent condition. The scene depicts an overgrown abbey or castle. The crumbling structure evokes nature's power over man over time. Three human figures in the foreground provide a sense of scale. The center arch is left undecorated to allow viewing of the pendulum inside the case. The upper section of the door has protective glass through which one can observe the dial.

The dial is original to the clock and is painted on tin. It features a closed minute ring with dots at each minute position. The hours are marked with large Roman-style numerals. The dial is signed by the makers, “Smith & Goodrich Bristol, Ct. U.S.” Steel-shaped hands depict the time.

The movement is made of brass. The rectangular plates have been skeletonized. It is a time-and-strike design powered by steel coil springs and runs approximately 30 hours when fully wound. The spring's power travels through a fusee cone, which helps regulate it more evenly.

The Clockmaker's blue label is pasted inside the clock. It includes directions for setting and running the clock, as well as the Maker's information. This information reads” THIRTY-HOUR SPRING BRASS CLOCKS; / Springs with equalized power, warranted not to fail; / MANUFACTURED AND SOLD BY / SMITH & GOODRICH, / BRISTOL, CONN.”

This clock was made circa 1845.

Inventory number BBB-39.