Clock · Novelty & automaton clock

Jerome & Co. Flying Pendulum Novelty Clock

Partially verified

This novelty clock is attributed by the auction source to Jerome & Co. of New Haven, Connecticut. The clock features a nickel-plated brass circular case topped by a decorative openwork flying pendulum escapement framework with a central vertical post and bent wire arms. The dial is described as paper on metal, displaying Roman numerals, spade hands, a central patent inscription, and a printed monogram shield above the six o'clock position. The source records an internal 30-hour spring-driven lever movement. Sold from the James F. Chamberlain collection, the lot was offered to benefit the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

Front view of the Jerome & Co. flying pendulum novelty clock in a nickel-plated brass case — Schmitt Horan & Co.. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.bidsquare.com
Category: Clock · Novelty & automaton clock
Form: Flying pendulum novelty clock
Maker / attribution: Jerome & Co.
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 336
Source-reported date: Not established
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

Identity and Classification

The auction catalog describes the clock as a Jerome & Co. flying pendulum novelty clock from New Haven, Connecticut. The seller listing describes it as an "original model" and a "period example," characterizing it as rarer than the wooden case version reproduced by Charlie Terwilliger under the name "Ignatz."

Listed as Lot 336 by Schmitt Horan & Co., the clock is recorded as coming from the James F. Chamberlain collection and sold to benefit the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) of Columbia, Pennsylvania.

Evidence for this section

“Jerome & Co., New Haven, Conn., fIying pendulum novelty clock”
“This is an original model and even rarer than the wooden case version of this curious American novelty clock which Charlie Terwilliger reproduced and called it "Ignatz".”
“Condition period example. From the James F. Chamberlain collection, being sold to benefit the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) of Columbia, Pennsylvania.”

Case and Superstructure Construction

The catalog lists the clock as having a nickel-plated brass case. Direct observation shows a circular metal drum case supported by small turned ball feet.

Mounted above the drum case is an elaborate wirework and pierced superstructure featuring a star and cross cutout at the apex, along with a flying pendulum tether wire suspended from an upper horizontal cross arm.

Evidence for this section

“nickel plated brass case”
“Circular metal drum case supported on small turned ball feet.”
“Elaborate wirework and pierced superstructure mounted above the case, featuring a star and cross cutout at the apex.”
“Flying pendulum tether wire suspended from the upper horizontal cross arm.”

Dial and Reported Movement

The listing specifies a paper-on-metal dial with spade hands. Visual observation shows a white paper-on-metal dial marked with black Roman numerals and outer minute divisions, with a patent inscription faintly visible across the upper-center and a shield logo printed above the VI mark.

The internal mechanism is described by the cataloger as a 30-hour spring-driven lever movement. The movement itself is not visible in the provided auction photograph, leaving internal stamps, mechanical condition, and running state unverified by direct observation.

Evidence for this section

“paper on metal dial, spade hands, 30 hour spring driven lever movement.”
“White paper on metal dial marked with black Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, and spade hands.”
“Patent inscription faintly visible across the upper-center dial area and a shield logo printed above the VI mark.”

Open research questions

What exact patent wording and dates are printed on the upper section of the paper dial?
What markings or production stamps appear on the movement plates inside the drum case?
Are the tether wire, escapement ball, and wirework components original to the clock or later replacements?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Jerome & Co. Flying Pendulum Novelty Clock
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Jerome & Co.	“Jerome & Co., New Haven, Conn.”
Case material	Nickel-plated brass	“nickel plated brass case”
Dial	Paper on metal	“paper on metal dial”
Movement type	30-hour spring-driven lever movement	“30 hour spring driven lever movement”
Provenance	James F. Chamberlain collection	“From the James F. Chamberlain collection”
Beneficiary	National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC)	“being sold to benefit the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) of Columbia, Pennsylvania.”
Origin location	New Haven, Connecticut	“Jerome & Co., New Haven, Conn.”
Condition assessment by seller	period example	“Condition period example.”

Visible details

Circular metal drum case supported on small turned ball feet.
Elaborate wirework and pierced superstructure mounted above the case, featuring a star and cross cutout at the apex.
White paper on metal dial marked with black Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, and spade hands.
Patent inscription faintly visible across the upper-center dial area and a shield logo printed above the VI mark.
Flying pendulum tether wire suspended from the upper horizontal cross arm.

Research qualifications

Internal movement is not visible in the provided auction photograph; mechanism details rely entirely on catalog description.
Running condition and completeness of original components are not specified in the auction listing.

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