Clock from Jerome & Co: Initial Observations
In the realm of antique clocks, a fascinating find has recently surfaced - a Jerome-branded Ogee clock, approximately 156 years old and hailing from the early to mid-1870s. This clock, though bearing the Jerome name, is not a genuine product of the original Jerome & Company, which operated in New Haven, Connecticut between 1845 and 1855.
The clock, meticulously researched and dated, is from a period when the New Haven Clock Company began using the Jerome name as a marketing strategy. This practice, common among clock manufacturers of the era, aimed to capitalise on the established reputation of the Jerome brand and appeal to consumers familiar with their clocks.
The clock's attractive Rosewood veneered case, with an access door covering the entire front, houses an 8-day hour strike movement, unmarked yet manufactured by the New Haven Clock Company and marketed as a Jerome & Co. clock. The movement, unlike older ones, secures the plates with screws instead of taper pins, a testament to the technological advancements of the time.
The clock, approximately from 1880, boasts a round top design with a mirrored rectangular lower tablet and a veneered rectangular base. It also features three labels: one is a wallpaper design, one is a retailer's label with the name J. J (last name) Clock Maker and Dealer, and the third is a set of directions for Regulating Pendulum Clocks.
Despite not being a genuine Jerome & Co. clock, this find is a tribute to Chauncey Jerome, the founder of the original Jerome & Company, and a testament to the enduring allure of the Jerome brand. It serves as a reminder of the marketing strategies employed in the clock industry during the late 19th century and the power of brand recognition in shaping consumer preferences.
The clock, which was bought at an estate auction, stands as a unique piece of clockmaking history, a blend of the old and the new, and a testament to the intriguing world of antique clocks.
This unique piece, the Jerome-branded Ogee clock from around 1880, although not a product of the original Jerome & Company, is a striking example of home-and-garden decor that embodies the vintage clocks era, making it an appealing addition to any lifestyle dedicated to preserving and celebrating history. Its métier of marketing the Jerome brand during the late 19th century, seen in the New Haven Clock Company's practices, is a significant reminder of the power of brand recognition in shaping consumer preferences within the home-and-garden industry too.
