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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Regulator clock

St John Fulham, May Astrological Regulator Clock

Partially verified

This astronomical regulator clock, listed as Lot 38 and dated by the source to circa 1850, features an engraved dial inscribed 'MAY.', 'St John's.', and 'FULHAM.'. The source reports that the instrument was utilised by an observatory to regulate and measure time during astronomical observations. The listing states it features a silvered brass dial with black numerals and hands, a wind movement, a mercury pendulum, and a mahogany case (printed as 'vase') measuring 180 by 34.5 by 25.5 cm. The visible dial demonstrates a classic regulator layout with independent seconds, minutes, and hours displays.

Dial of the regulator clock showing subsidiary registers and engravings 'MAY.', 'St John's.', and 'FULHAM.'
Dial of the regulator clock showing subsidiary registers and engravings 'MAY.', 'St John's.', and 'FULHAM.' — Theodore Bruce. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
theodorebruceauctionsnew.connectwp.invaluable.com
Category
Clock · Regulator clock
Maker / attribution
May (St John's, Fulham)
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
38
Source-reported date
circa 1850
Country
United Kingdom

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

Dial and Configuration

The instrument features a circular silvered brass dial plate with a raised bezel edge. It is configured with an outer perimeter minutes chapter ring marked with Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals.

The dial includes an upper subsidiary register for seconds (marked with Arabic numerals) and a lower subsidiary register for hours (marked with Roman numerals). Engravings include 'MAY.' on the left, 'St John's.' in script on the right, and 'FULHAM.' in block capitals above the center of the lower subsidiary dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “Circular silvered dial plate with raised bezel edge”
  • “Outer perimeter minutes chapter ring marked with Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals”
  • “Upper subsidiary register marked with Arabic numerals for seconds”
  • “Lower subsidiary register marked with Roman numerals for hours”
  • “Engraved inscriptions reading 'MAY.' on the left, 'St John's.' in script on the right, and 'FULHAM.' in block capitals above the lower subsidiary dial center”

Reported Construction and Mechanism

The source describes the clock as having a 'mahogany vase' (interpreted as a reference to the clock case) and a silvered brass dial with black numerals and hands. The reported mechanism includes a wind movement and a mercury pendulum.

Verification of the internal movement, pendulum composition, and full case construction is not possible through the available imagery, which only depicts the dial and hand assembly.

Evidence for this section
  • “mahogany vase, silvered brass dial”
  • “black numerals & hands”
  • “wind movement with mercury pendulum”

Functional Context and Provenance

The item is identified as Lot 38, dated to circa 1850. The source states the clock was utilized by an observatory for astronomical observations.

The source documentation contains inconsistent terminology, referring to the clock as 'Astrological' in the heading while describing its purpose as 'Astronomical' within the body text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lot 38, A St John Fulham, May Astrological Regulator Clock”
  • “dated to circa 1850”
  • “utilised by an Observatory to regulate and measure time when making Astronomical observations”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical identity of the maker 'May' of St John's, Fulham?
  • Can the stated observatory provenance be substantiated by external historical records?
  • Is the 'mahogany vase' terminology a standard industry error for this auction house or a specific reference to a vase-style clock housing?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for St John Fulham, May Astrological Regulator Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Lot Number38“Lot 38, A St John Fulham, May Astrological Regulator Clock”
Reported Datecirca 1850“dated to circa 1850”
Reported MaterialsMahogany case, silvered brass dial“mahogany vase, silvered brass dial”
Reported Pendulum MechanismWind movement with mercury pendulum“wind movement with mercury pendulum”
Reported Dimensions180 x 34.5 x 25.5 cm“Measures: 180 x 34.5 x 25.5 cm”
Reported Provenance / FunctionObservatory timekeeping“utilised by an Observatory to regulate and measure time when making Astronomical observations”
Dimensions180 x 34.5 x 25.5 cm“Measures: 180 x 34.5 x 25.5 cm”

Visible details

  • Circular silvered dial plate with raised bezel edge
  • Outer perimeter minutes chapter ring marked with Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals
  • Upper subsidiary register marked with Arabic numerals for seconds
  • Lower subsidiary register marked with Roman numerals for hours
  • Central blued minute hand and independent indicator hands on the upper and lower subsidiary dials
  • Engraved inscriptions reading 'MAY.' on the left, 'St John's.' in script on the right, and 'FULHAM.' in block capitals above the lower subsidiary dial center

Research qualifications

  • The auction heading refers to the clock as 'Astrological', whereas the body description specifies use for 'Astronomical observations'
  • The source text describes a 'mahogany vase', which appears to be a typographical error for 'case'
  • Only the dial and hand assembly are visible in the provided photograph; the full case, movement, and mercury pendulum are source-reported and not depicted

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

Consulted source

ST JOHN FULHAM, MAY ASTROLOGICAL REGULATOR CLOCK - Theodore Bruce

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record b001ae061f

Terms in this record

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

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