Beschreibung:

DescriptionGeorge Graham No.638. A previously unrecorded walnut longcase clock, London, circa 1722
11-inch latched dial with double-screwed Indian mask and scroll spandrels linked by foliate engraving and signed along the lower edge Geo: Graham. London, maintaining power lever between II and III, finely matted centre with subsidiary seconds dial and date aperture with pin adjustment, further signed on a silvered oval plaque Geo: Graham, London, the movement with five latched and knopped pillars, anchor escapement, bolt & shutter maintaining power (bolt lacking), the pendulum with brass rod and lenticular lead bob (lacking brass casing), rack striking on a bell, numbered along the lower edge of the backplate 638, original oak seatboard, the case with altered hood with architectural cresting, brass ball finial and brass-capped hood pilasters, the trunk sides divided into panels with chevron stringing, the heavily repaired trunk door reveneered and with replaced mouldings, the plinth with chevron stringing and double stepped base226cm 7ft 5in high overallCondition reportDial is very dirty and silvering tarnished, spandrels each lacking one screw, good original hands with some surface rust, hour hand repaired. Movement appears to retain the original wheelwork throughout, one dial latch lacking, spring-loaded bolt missing from maintaining power, some surface rusting to steelwork, would benefit from and clean and fresh oil. Case appears to possibly be original to this movement and dial but has undergone extensive alteration/restoration in the past. Hood appears to be completely re-built and now has an architectural cresting, trunk door appears to have been re-veneered and the mouldings replaced, the top and bottom door sections have been shaved, there is a very faint shadow of what could possibly be an 8 towards the top edge, door locks replaced, many old scuffs, cracks, marks and old repairs throughout. With pendulum, 2 brass-cased weights, a winder and 3 case keys.
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."Catalogue noteGeorge Graham (1674 - 1751) is one of the most renowned clock and instrument makers. He was apprenticed to Henry Aske in 1688 and on gaining his Freedom in 1695 entered the service of Thomas Tompion as a journey man. He married Tompion's niece in 1704, and in 1711 went into partnership with him. Two years later, on Tompion's death, he succeeded to the business. Graham continued Tompion's numbering system for both clocks and watches but it is thought that he made less than two hundred clocks of all types, numbered from about 585 to 780. He worked at the sign of The Dial and Three Crowns at the corner of Water Lane and Fleet Street. George Graham was elected a Fellow of The Royal Society in 1721 and Master of The Clockmaker's Company in 1722. He was a highly innovative maker who strove throughout his life to increase the accuracy of mechanical timekeepers. Amongst other inventions he is accredited with the cylinder escapement, the mercury pendulum and the deadbeat escapement. On his death Graham, like Tompion, was buried in Westminster Abbey. A measure of the esteem in which he was held during his lifetime.