William Edward Frodsham Two-day Marine Chronometer, No. 1

Lot 209

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274 Cedar Hill Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
United States

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Bid Increments

Price	Bid Increment
$0	$10
$100	$25
$500	$50
$1,000	$100
$3,000	$250
$5,000	$500
$10,000	$1,000
$30,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000
$100,000	$10,000
$300,000	$25,000
$500,000	$50,000
$1,000,000	$100,000

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Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments by Bonhams Skinner

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Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments

By Bonhams Skinner

Oct 31, 2015 - Nov 1, 2015

Set Reminder 2015-10-31 10:00:00 2015-11-01 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/skinner/clocks-watches-scientific-instruments-960 Bonhams Skinner bidsquare@bonhamsskinner.com

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Lot Description

William Edward Frodsham Two-day Marine Chronometer, No. 1, Change Alley, London, c. 1823, the two-tier mahogany box opens to the printed label under the lid stating in part Parkinson & Frodsham, Chronometer Makers to the Right Honorable, the Lords Commifsioners of the Admiralty & Honorable C.M. Company, 4 Change Alley, opposite the South Gate, Royal Exchange, London..., 3-in. silvered engraved Roman numeral dial marked Will (m). E (d). Frodsham/Eleve of/Parkinson & Frodsham/Change Alley/London/No. 1, seconds dial and blued steel hands, gimbaled and movement mounted in a brass bowl, three quarter brass plate chain fusee movement signed Willm. E. Frodsham/Change Alley/London, spring detent escapement, two-arm split balance with two brass timing screws and wedge-shaped weights, helical hairspring, diamond endstone, and maintaining power, all in a two-tiered mahogany box with bail carrying handles, vacant number boss and brass escutcheon, ht. 6 1/4, wd. 6, dp. 5 3/4 in.

Note: William Edward Frodsham (1804-1825) was the son of William James Frodsham (1779-1850) and the student, or "eleve" as engraved on the dial, of Parkinson & Frodsham. William Edward was about 20 years old when he made this, his first chronometer and died a year or so later from drowning while bathing. The present timekeeper was used on voyages of exploration to the Arctic Circle in 1823 to Spitzbergen, Norway, and in 1824 to Repulse Bay, Canada. Its whereabouts since 1900 have been unknown until recently discovered by Skinner.

William Edward's second chronometer traveled in much more temperate climates. No. 2 served 80 years with the Royal Navy including service on the HMS Beagle carrying young naturalist Charles Darwin on a five-year voyage. Darwin's notes on this voyage eventually became The Origin of the Species.
Estimate $4,000-6,000

The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
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