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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Alarm clock

Jerome & Co Alarm Clock

Partially verified

This alarm clock was manufactured by Jerome & Co in New Haven, Connecticut, circa 1850. The clock features a black wooden case with a gable top and decorative gilt patterns on the door. It is a spring-wound timepiece equipped with a specific mechanism designed to prevent over-winding, utilizing a star-like wheel on the winding arbor that interacts with another wheel based on the Geneva stop principle. The dial includes a central brass component for setting the alarm function. Measuring 25 cm in height, 18 cm in length, and 9.5 cm in width, the object is part of the collection at Museums Victoria, acquired through a bequest from Mr. John Askew in 1928.

A frontal view of the Jerome & Co alarm clock showing the gable-top wooden case and the brass alarm-setting dial.
A frontal view of the Jerome & Co alarm clock showing the gable-top wooden case and the brass alarm-setting dial. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Clock · Alarm clock
Maker / attribution
Jerome & Co
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ST 19358
Source-reported date
circa 1850
Source-reported place
United States

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Construction and Exterior

The clock is housed in a black wooden case topped by a gable. The front of the case is decorated with gilt designs, particularly surrounding the door and along the lower base. The dial features a clear chapter ring with Roman numerals for standard timekeeping.

Integrated into the center of the dial is a brass component specifically used for setting the alarm. The overall construction reflects the firm's output in mid-19th century Connecticut, with dimensions measuring 25 cm in height by 18 cm in length and 9.5 cm in width.

Evidence for this section
  • “Black wooden case with gable top and gilt design on door.”
  • “Brass dial for setting alarm.”

Movement and Function

The clock is powered by a spring-wound movement. It incorporates a technical feature to prevent damage during the winding process, specifically a device designed to stop over-winding.

The mechanism uses a star-like wheel fixed to the winding arbor. This wheel includes one tooth of greater length than the others, which engages with a secondary wheel featuring smaller, equal-sized teeth. The operation follows the Geneva stop principle, where the number of turns allowed is limited by the number of teeth on the star-wheel before the longer tooth restricts further movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “Spring wound.”
  • “Has a device to prevent over-winding.”
  • “A star- like wheel fixed on the winding arbor has one tooth longer than the others and gears into another similar wheel with smaller equal teeth on the Geneva stop principle.”

Provenance and Documentation

The object is registered under the number ST 19358 in the collection of Museums Victoria. It was associated with the manufacturing works of Chauncey Jerome based in New Haven, Connecticut.

The clock entered the museum's collection through a loan and subsequent bequest provided by Mr. John Askew. This transition was finalized on 23 April 1928.

Evidence for this section
  • “Registration number: ST 19358”
  • “Acquisition: Loan & Subsequent Bequest from Mr John Askew, 23 Apr 1928”
  • “Association: type: Maker, name: Jerome & Co, date: circa 1850, locality: New Haven”

Open research questions

  • What specific type of metal was used for the base of the clock case?
  • Is the internal movement original to the case or a later replacement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Jerome & Co Alarm Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJerome & Co“Maker, name: Jerome & Co”
Datecirca 1850“date: circa 1850”
Registration NumberST 19358“Registration number: ST 19358”
Dimensions18 cm x 9.5 cm x 25 cm“18 cm (Length), 9.5 cm (Width), 25 cm (Height)”
OriginNew Haven, Connecticut, USA“locality: New Haven, state: Connecticut, country: United States of America”
MechanismSpring wound with Geneva stop over-wind prevention“Spring wound. Has a device to prevent over-winding.”

Visible details

  • Black wooden exterior with gable-top silhouette
  • Gilt ornamentation visible on the base and door frame
  • White chapter ring with Roman numerals
  • Central circular brass alarm-setting dial

Research qualifications

  • Source does not specify the material composition of the dial beyond the alarm component
  • Internal movement condition is not described beyond the over-winding mechanism

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Alarm Clock - Jerome & Co, Connecticut, circa 1850

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record d5f674d21a

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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