Eight-day Pennsylvania tall case clock with rolling pin top.

Eight-day Pennsylvania tall case clock with rolling pin top. According to the tax records from Union County, Pennsylvania, Joseph Berkley was a clockmaker in Lewisburg between 1836 and 1851. Berkley probably purchased his clockmaking materials from Switzerland, or possibly the Black Forest region of Germany. In fact, many clocks and clock parts were being imported into the Germanic regions of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Western Maryland by the 1820's. It has been assumed that German immigrants brought the clocks and/or parts into this region with them. Others, could have been clock makers who brought their tools, parts and entire movements with them when they moved into to the area. This clock has many similarities in its gear train to standard Black Forest production particularly in its use of lantern pinions. English clocks usually used cut or milled pinions. On the other hand, unlike the more familiar Black Forest clock movements which often had cast and spun brass gearing between Beechwood frames with brass bushings, this clock features cast brass plates and four turned brass pillars...more akin to English clock frames. Another major variation in this clock, is the four pillars which are pinned into the plates at the front and back of the movement. This is a feature often found in Swiss clocks. English clock movement frames usually had the pillars sweged into the back plate, leaving only the front plate of the movement detachable. We therefore assume that this movement was made by someone familiar with Black Forest or Swiss clockmaking techniques...probably Berkley himself. The dial also reminds one of typical Black Forest production, designed for export to the American market. It includes a seconds hand which is not calibrated for seconds-timing because the unusual flat brass-rod pendulum is longer than a seconds-beating meter in length. The dial bears the signature J. BERKLY CLOCKMAKER LEWISBURG (note that the spelling of Berkley's last name is different on the dial than in the County tax records).It was not at all uncommon for spelling to differ from time to time in those days. The bright spot on the dial is a reflection of our camera flash. The presence of the clock maker's name and location on the dial differentiates it from Black Forest-made clocks which hardly ever had signatures on their faces. On the back of the dial is the name of the artist who painted it. Some of the metal and a few of the wooden dials from the Black Forest region bore the artist's name or signature on the back. In addition to the other advantages found in this fine clock, there is a working calendar hand on the dial. This clock case stands about 7' 3" tall and predominantly features Cherry wood with Curly Maple embellishments. Other attractive case features include checkered blocks on the hood and substantial turned half-columns on the waist and base. In the arch of the dial are the words LEBE WOHL...a German phrase literally translated "Live Well"....or colloquially- HAVE A GOOD LIFE. A scarce, out-of-print book will accompany this clock. This book was published in June of 1989 to accompany an exhibition of clocks from the Susquehanna Valley at the Packwood House Museum in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Joseph Berkley is listed in this book along with the tax records indicating that he worked in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania from 1836 to 1851. This truly RARE and very unusual tall case clock would be especially appropriate in the home of a graduate of Bucknell University (located in Lewisburg, Pa). It is one of the more collectible PENNSYLVANIA tall case clocks...perhaps unique. We priced it well below the amount ordinarily seen for a clock of this quality. Compare it with others at double the price and we think you'll agree that this is one of the best buys on the internet-or at any antique shop! Custom, professional shipping is available throughout the Continental United States. Height: 87 in. (220.98 cm) Depth: 12 in. (30.48 cm) Width: 20 in. (50.80 cm) Weight: 45