Eight Inch Chelsea Shelf Clock singed on the dial with the retailer's name "Bigelow, Kennard & Co. Boston, and signed "Ship' Bell" between the winding posts. The movement is numbered #164736 and captioned "Chelsea Clock Company, Boston U.S.A.Patented Oct. 5, 1899, Sept. 18, 1885,, June 9th 1900, Also Patented in Great Britain May31, 1900. The clock was sold by Chelsea on March 27, 1913. This rare and possible unique form of Chelsea eight inch clock has a cast brass case which sits on a nicely shaped brass mount which in turn sits on a stained oak base with scroll- work feet. The clock has a hinged bezel. The glass is doomed and not flat like all of the other Chelsea shelf clocks. The clock has a 8 Inch silver dial with applied brass numerals and fancy pierced hands. The back of the case has a round hinged back plate that has a fancy pierced pattern which allows the sound to eminent out. The bottom of the base has a repair label with the name Bradford Cheney. "Categorized under Clock Repair and Parts. Our records show it was established in 1982 and incorporated in Massachusetts. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of 42262 and employs a staff of approximately 1." This label show he repaired the clock in on 4/83.
Note: James Dyson founder and president of the Chelsea Clock Museum has issued this description of the clock.
"This is the only example I have ever seen. It is not listed in any Chelsea catalog. It does have a similar base to the Mahogany Pedestal Clock offered in the 1911 Chelsea Catalog. It was sold on 3/27/1913 to Bigelow, Kennard & Co. Research shows the clock described in factory records to be, 8” Special Copper Bronze Pedestal Wheel Ship’s Bell. This description matches the clock exactly. The combination of outstanding original surfaces and only known example make for an exceedingly rare and desirable clock."
Condition: The clock is in fine untouched original condition and the movement has been recently overhauled.
Dimensions: Height 15 1/2, Width 18, Depth 6 1/4, Inches