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Catalog Data

Maker:
Parkinson & Frodsham  Search this
Physical Description:
brass (overall material)
glass (overall material)
steel (overall material)
wood (container material)
Measurements:
overall - box: 7 1/8 in x 7 in x 6 3/8 in; 18.0975 cm x 17.78 cm x 16.1925 cm
overall - key: 3 in x 1 1/4 in x 3/4 in; 7.62 cm x 3.175 cm x 1.905 cm
dial - from catalog card: 3 3/8 in; 8.5725 cm
box - from catalog card: 6 1/2 in x 6 1/2 in x 6 1/2 in; 16.51 cm x 16.51 cm x 16.51 cm
Object Name:
box chronometer
Place made:
United Kingdom: England, London
Date made:
ca 1840
Description:
This instrument is a specialized timekeeper designed for finding longitude at sea. Its form is that of the standardized 19th-century marine chronometer. Parkinson & Frodsham, a firm trading in high-quality chronometers, clocks and watches, was established in 1801 by William James Frodsham (1778-1850) and William Parkinson (d. about 1842). From 1801 to 1890, the firm’s business address was 4 Change Alley, and thereafter at other addresses until 1947.
Mechanism details:
Escapement: Earnshaw, spring detent
Duration: 56-hour
Power source: Spring drive with chain and fusee
Balance spring: Helical, blued steel, Earnshaw type
Inscription: "Parkinson & Frodsham." on backplate, "Change Alley / London" on barrel bridge
Bowl details:
Brass bowl
Brass gimbals
Bezel screwed and milled
Crystal convex and chamfered
Dial details:
Engraved and silvered brass
Indicates hours, minutes, seconds, winding level up and down
Hands: blued steel, early spade
Inscription: "Parkinson & Frodsham / Change Alley London. 2349"
Case details:
Box: solid wood, three-part, glazed center section
Brass corners, cartouche and key escutcheon
Roundel in bone
Inscriptions: none
References:
1. Gould, Rupert T. <i>The Marine Chronometer.</i> Essex: Holland Press, 1960.
2. Mercer, Tony. <i>Chronometer Makers of the World.</i> London: NAG Press, 1991.
3. Mercer, R. Vaudry. <i>The Frodshams. The Story of a Family of Chronometer Makers.</i> London: Antiquarian Horological Society monograph 21, 1981.
4. Whitney, Marvin,E. <i>The Ship's Chronometer.</i> Cincinnati: American Watchmakers Institute Press, 1985.
Location:
Currently not on view
ID Number:
ME.336641
Catalog number:
336641
1978.0161.02
Accession number:
1978.0161
See more items in:
Work and Industry: Mechanisms
Time and Navigation
Measuring & Mapping
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-7900-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1277064