A collection of diverse archival materials on the subject of watches and clocks assembled by James Arthur (1842-1912).
Scope and Contents note:
These records contain material on the Arthur collection of clocks and watches. Includes publications, inventories, manuscripts, reports, photographs, advertisements, catalogues, newspaper clippings, patents, and business records; correspondence files of NYU curators concerning the administration of the collection; a watch record book of sales of Ezekiel Jones, carried on bookkeeping, 1822 and 1825; and a copy of the Smithsonian-NYU permanent loan agreement, 1964.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into 10 series.
Series 1, Correspondence, 1937-1964 (bulk 1950-1957)
Series 2, Subject Files
Series 3, Organizations
Series 4, The Arthur Collection at New York University, 1930-1968
Series 5, Patent Specification (Unprocessed)
Series 6, Horological Pamphlets and Articles, 1743-1947 (Unprocessed)
Series 7, Miscellaneous, 1825-1966 (Unprocessed)
Series 8, Clock Makers Directory, 15 volumes (Unprocessed)
Series 9, Press Clippings about watches and clocks (Unprocessed)
Series 10, Photographs (Unprocessed)
Biographical/Historical note:
James Arthur owned and operated a New York machine shop for patent models. He came to the United States from Scotland in 1871. Fourteen years later he established Arthur Machine Works in New York City for the construction of original and special machinery. He was a skillful, ingenious, highly trained mechanic. While not technically a clockmaker or a watchmaker, he was especially interested in horology and timekeeping devices. From boyhood, clocks and watches were his hobby and he was a discriminating collector.
For more than forty years, he collected watches and clocks from many countries and periods. Arthur was quick to recognize any features of a clock or watch that gave it a distinctive character. His fondness for the fine points of the machinery did not blind him to distinctions of form and beauty in the cases, to originality in the maker, or to the historical significance of the work. He was devoted to the science no less than to the art of timekeeping. Arthur's collection contained some 1,200 watches, 300 clocks, and numerous accessories.
Provenance:
Collection donated by New York University, 1964.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories Watchworks and Clockworks, NMAH.AC.0060
James Arthur Clock and Watch Collection, NMAH.AC.0130
Jacob Rabinow Papers, NMAH.AC.0403
Frederick and Mary Hill Fried Folk Art Archives, NMAH.AC.0528
Seth Thomas Clock Company Records, NMAH.AC.0627
E. Howard Clock Company Records, NMAH.AC.0776
Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Collection, NMAH.AC.0803
Illinois Springfield Watch Company Record Book, NMAH.AC.1145
Hamilton Watch Company Photographs, NMAH.AC.1122
Provenance:
Ledger purchased from from Between the Covers, through Tom Congalton, owner, 2019.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
advertisement for agents at post offices to solicit subscriptions for the "Courier-Journal" ; Courier-Journal Waterbury Watch present for those who raise a "club of ten" subscriptions to "Courier-Journal" ; Courier-Journal high-arm sewing machine with a year subscription to "Courier-Journal" ; Low-arm sewing machine for a year subscription to "Courier Journal" ; gifts and incentives for those who sell subscriptions to "Courier-Journal" or subscribe for a year to "Courier-Journal"
Includes:
Trade catalog
Black and white images
Physical description:
3 pieces; 1 box
Language:
English
Type of material:
Trade catalogs
Trade literature
Place:
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Date:
1800s
Topic (Romaine term):
Business services (advertising; marketing; organizational management; etc.) Search this
Clocks and watches (including clock-making and watch-making equipment) Search this
Printing; publishing; paper and bookselling (including type specimens) Search this
