This pressed oak clock dates about 1900 or so and was likely made by Ingraham Clock Company of Bristol Connecticut or a competitor wishing to cash in on their “Army and Navy” series of clocks commemorating the Spanish-American War. Advertised in the company’s 1903 catalog, those clocks featured vignettes of Admiral Dewey, President McKinley, the U.S.S. Maine, Fitxhugh Lee (for the southern market,) the dove of Peace, or the American eagle, that were mixed and matched with patriotic and military motifs on the sides and reverse-stenciled glass doors.

This follows the same pattern, showing at top a large portrait of Admiral Sampson and the door showing Sampson’s flagship, the cruiser New York. Sampson led the North Atlantic Fleet and was in charge of the Cuban blockade in 1898, tasked with destroying the Spanish fleet of Admiral Cervera, which took place at Santiago on July 3, though with the U.S. ships under the immediate, temporary command of Admiral Schley. Sampson announced the victory as a July 4^th present to the country, neglecting Schley’s role, which subsequently divided the navy into Sampson and Schley factions.

The pressed oak case shows somewhat simplified motifs compared those on the Dewey and other clocks. The Sampson portrait fills the entire upper panel and the lower side panels are simple images of a deck gun at top and helmsman below. The base uses the same motif of stars and anchors, and the glass door has a similar gold and black stencil, but we note the door is a simple rectangle with straight upper edge rather than the three-sided arch of the other clocks.

This is in nice condition, with some stains around the key holes on the paper dial, but no tears or missing elements and bright finish with good detail, measuring about 5" x 15.5" x 24.25" high. The ornate pendulum is present and the clock both runs and chimes, though we can’t say how accurately it keeps time.  This would fit in a U.S Navy or Spanish American War collection, especially one showing how the war was celebrated in popular culture, not only as a victory, but to reassert national unity a generation after the Civil War.

Special pickup or delivery arrangements will have to be made.  [sr] [ph:m]

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