The Fine Antique Clock Collection of NAWCC Co-Founder Willis R. Michael will be Sold Online May 19th

Paoli, PA, USA, May 2, 2023 -- The fine antique clock collection of Willis R. Michael (1894-1969), one of the founders of the NAWCC (National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Inc.), who also served as the group?s second president from 1949-1951, will headline Converse Auctions? online-only May Antique Auction on Friday, May 19th, beginning at 12 noon Eastern time.

Mr. Michael?s interest in clocks began in 1937, when he purchased his first grandfather clock in Lancaster, Pa. His collection grew to over 400 clocks and 225 watches. Trained as a tool-and-die maker, he owned a successful specialized tool-and-die company. He was also a Freemason and held leadership positions within the Masons, helping develop the Dudley Masonic pocket watch.

The auction will also feature Modern designer and antique furniture and lighting (including an Eero Aarnio style Ball Chair and Company C rugs); African artifacts; Hopi kachina figures; Chinese porcelain, snuff bottles, bronzes and paintings; estate jewelry; fine art paintings and prints; sterling and crystal lots; coins; books on art and collecting; and decorative accessories.

But the clock collection is the auction?s undisputed headliner, led by Mr. Michael?s personally owned presentation 14K Dudley Masonic pocket watch with insignia and rope chain, engraved gold pocket knife and hinged fob with sphinx and horns with double eagle insignia on one side and reverse opening to reveal enamel circle with letters. It carries an estimate of $4,000-$6,000.

The 19-jewel pocket watch?s movement is decorated with Masonic symbols, including the iconic square and compass and all-seeing eye. The interior of the case is engraved, ?Presented to Willis Raymond Michael 33, July 11, 1944.? Also up for bid is another Dudley open face pocket watch with a sparkling rayed pattern dial with Arabic numerals and seconds dial (est. $2,000-$4,000).

A strong candidate for top lot of the auction is the Lemuel Curtis (Concord, Mass., 1790-1857) girandole wall clock, named for its use of convex glass in the base section, patented by Curtis in 1816. This example is exceptional for its beautifully rendered image of Aurora in a reverse painting on glass (eglomis?), a very difficult technique. It should command $20,000-$40,000.

Anyone who knows clocks knows the name Willard. A Federal mahogany tall case clock by Simon Willard (Roxbury, Mass., circa 1790), having a bonnet with fine fretwork detail, should realize $10,000-$20,000; and a Federal era shelf clock by brother Aaron (1757-1844, Boston), with elaborate eglomis? panels with lyre motif and a bottom panel with a farming scene, has an estimate of $4,000-$6,000. Both clocks boast 8-day weight driven, time and strike movement.

A fine Jacob Hostetter (1754-1831) tall case clock with a Chippendale/Hepplewhite transitional cherry case and a dial that reads ?Jacob Hostetter No. 71? has an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. Hostetter was a pioneer clockmaker in York County, Pa. Also, a John Fisher (1736-1808) York Town tall case clock with carved rosettes, a Greek Key border and hand-painted face should fetch $5,000-$10,000. Interestingly, Willis R. Michael is a direct descendant of John Fisher?s.

For more information about Converse Auctions and the online-only May Antique Auction on Friday, May 19th, please visit www.ConverseAuctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.

Company :-Converse Auctions

User :- Todd Converse

Email :-info@converseauctions.com

Phone :-6107229004

Url :- https://www.converseauctions.com