Wall Clock: 1875 English Fusee Drop Dial Timepiece by James Collins & Son

We offer for consideration, this excellent fusee drop dial timepiece by James Collins & Son of Stratford, London. Collins was born in 1821 and is recorded as being a silversmith, watch and clockmaker, working from 46 Martin Street, Stratford. From the outset, Collins specialised in designing and making much sought after pocket watches with cases made under his own silversmiths’ hallmark. However, from about 1870, Collins also started to produce high quality clocks, having been joined in business by his son William, born 1849, who had served his horological apprenticeship under his father. In c1872, the family business formally changed its operating name to “J. Collins & Son” moving to larger premises at 55 Martin Street, Stratford in the process, from where this clock would have been designed and made. (Nb: Martin Street existed until c2006, when as part of the London 2012 Olympic site clearance plans, it was lost to history!) The wonderfully hand-crafted cabinet work includes a solid Mahogany turned roundhead face over a Mahogany veneered drop box. The clocks embellishment includes a shaped and glazed front visible pendulum aperture and its original hand-carved Acanthus designed side-ears. The timepiece also benefits from two hinged inspection doors; one on the side of the case, the other an operable lockable regulator door located at the bottom of the box. The original metal dial has black painted Roman numerals and exhibits the Collins signature, details, and movement serial number (“950”) and is finished with its pair of blued Spade hands secured with a pinned collet. The clocks face is then protected by a thick convex glaze mounted in its brass bezel that incorporates a canted silvered brass fillet to the interior. The clock benefits from a quality 8-day single fusee driven movement with rectangular plates and turned pillars. Uniquely for the period, the front plate is stamped with a Collins Trademark (the initials “Jc&S" set within the symbol of a spade), along with the movement serial number 950, (corresponding to that shown on the dial), and comes with its original brass pendulum rod and bob and fusee brass winding key. A fine late Victorian example of quality English clockmaking engineering! Payment - We Accept: - Debit / Credit Cards. - Bacs Transfer (Faster Payments). (Our bank details are on our invoices).