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FS17: Three Day Fine Art Sale

Thomas Mercer A Survey Chronometer No 18681

Auction Lot FS17/748

Thomas Mercer a survey chronometer No 18681 the two-day duration movement with a visible escapement, the silvered twenty-four hour dial engraved with a subsidiary seconds dial, a 56 hour up-and-down dial and engraved Thomas Mercer Ltd, St Albans, England, 18681, with blued steel spade hands, contained in a plated drum with a stop/start lever to the side, 1 Sec electrical contacts and with a plate engraved RT9.368, the whole then sat in a steel bound box with a leather strap and separate compartment for the original paperwork including a rating certificate dated for 1971 and the original guarantee and rate certificate dated from the original sale in July 1950 and bearing the Octo trademark.

Thomas Mercer A Survey Chronometer No 18681 (FS17/748) offered in our Three Day Fine Art Sale starting on 29th January 2013 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.

Lot Description

Thomas Mercer a survey chronometer No 18681 the two-day duration movement with a visible escapement, the silvered twenty-four hour dial engraved with a subsidiary seconds dial, a 56 hour up-and-down dial and engraved Thomas Mercer Ltd, St Albans, England, 18681, with blued steel spade hands, contained in a plated drum with a stop/start lever to the side, 1 Sec electrical contacts and with a plate engraved RT9.368, the whole then sat in a steel bound box with a leather strap and separate compartment for the original paperwork including a rating certificate dated for 1971 and the original guarantee and rate certificate dated from the original sale in July 1950 and bearing the Octo trademark.

Notes

Thomas Mercer moved to London from Lancashire where he had worked with the famed chronometer maker Thomas Russell. Finding work hard to come by he was ready to emigrate to America, he had bought a one-way ticket, until he noticed a fine chronometer in the shop window of John Fletcher. He entered the shop and was immediately given a position as a watch springer and finisher. He then established his own business in 1858 at New North Road, London before, in 1874, moving to St Albans, setting up a factory behind his house in Prospect Road. in September 1900 Thomas Mercer was appointed as judge for the horological class at the Universal Exhibition held in Paris. Unfortunately he caught a cold on the ferry crossing over and died at the H'tel Internationale, Paris, whereupon his son Frank took over the running of the business. A1929 advert in the British Industries Fair Catalogue shows Mercers as manufacturers of the 'Octo' timekeeper System of Electric Synchronised Clocks for all purposes, both land and marine. The company closed in 1984.

Price Realised

£450

Department

Works of Art & Clocks

Fine Art Category

Bracket Clocks

Fine Art Knowledge Base

Sale Information

FS17: Three Day Fine Art Sale
Tuesday, 29th January 2013
Wednesday, 30th January 2013
Thursday, 31st January 2013

Okehampton Street, Exeter

This lot will be sold after 12:30pm on Thursday, 31st January 2013 as part of the Collectors' Items, Works of Art and Clocks section of the sale.

Contact

For more information about this particular auction lot, please contact:-

Martin McIlroyMartin McIlroy


Leigh ExtenceLeigh Extence

Important Notes

Weights and measurements are approximate guidelines only, unless otherwise stated to the contrary.

Please note that we are unable to provide a wrapping, packing and despatch service ourselves, but we have negotiated preferential rates with Mailbox Etc.

Legal Notice

Please note that this sale will be subject to our usual Terms and Conditions. Your attention is drawn to our conditions of sale, our information for buyers and our information for sellers. Please also note our premium and commission charges.

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