Chauncey Jerome Steeple #2

Jerome steeple 2-1

This steeple, or “Sharp Gothic”, clock has the same dimensions as the two other steeples in my collection, though each has a different type of movement.  This one is a typical 30-hr Jerome patent movement driven by fusees.  The tablet, which shows P.T. Barnum’s mansion known as Iranistan, provides some help in dating the clock. The construction was commissioned in 1848, and prints with dates as early as that are known (see the entry in Wikipedia for an example).  The mansion was destroyed in a fire in December of 1857.

Jerome steeple 2-2

Unfortunately, the blue label has been extensively discolored, possibly by oil.  Complete examples I have seen state, “CHAUNCEY JEROME/NEW HAVEN, CONN.,/MANUFACTURER OF BRASS EIGHT DAY AND THIRTY HOUR, SPRING & WEIGHT, PENDULUM & BALANCE/CLOCKS,/OF EVERY NEW AND POPULAR STYLE,/ALL WARRANTED GOOD.”  Of course, each line of text in the label is in a different font style.  Most prominent is Chauncey Jerome’s name.

Jerome steeple 2-3

Type 1.312 30-hr movement (front), fusee driven, with the maker’s stamp

Jerome steeple 2-4

Type 1.312 30-hr movement (back)

Jerome steeple 2-5

View showing the movement mounted in the clock, with the pendulum suspended from the peak of the case.

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