Eight-day shelf clock with strike on the hours.

Eight-day shelf clock with strike on the hours. This handsome Upper New York State shelf clock was made between May of 1833 and July of 1834. It bears the distinction of being one of a few thousand that were made by prison labor in the newly built Auburn (NY) State Prison. A. Munger and Co. was a partnership at that time between Asa Munger and Thaddeus Benedict (clockmakers) and Clark Beers Hotchkiss (a tailor with considerable experience working with prison laborers). This particular clock bears the number "736" impressed into the brass front plate of the movement. It is believed that only the clocks made in the prison system were numbered, to facilitate record-keeping of their production. Fewer than 4,000 were manufactured in this way. All Munger clocks are very well made and will run virtually trouble-free for centuries. This is a very early example with the 'pointing finger'seconds hand on the dial (see photograph). The colorful and very attractive reverse painted lower door glass is a professional recreation of an original design appropriate to the clock. The gilded cast seconds hand is a later replacement. This case features double doors with glass knobs. Many Munger clocks had wall paper lining on the inside of the case with a Munger paper lable pasted onto it. This one never had those. The carved splat (top ornament) enhances the overall 'look' which is an outstanding example of this type of clock. The hourly strike is on a clear bell. An original painted wood dial retains the words PATENTED BY A.MUNGER and CO.(see our photograph). Since the recent publication of an excellent book on Upper New York State clocks, the Mungers have been especially sought-after. We've been fortunate in obtaining several-all of which sold almost immediately to eager, discriminating collectors. Height: 40 in. (101.60 cm) Depth: 5 in. (12.70 cm) Width: 19 in. (48.26 cm) Weight: 20