A fine English mahogany longcase regulator, signed on the dial "Richard Bridgman, London."
78 in. [200 cm] H
19 in. [48.3 cm] W
9 ¼ in. [23.5 cm] D
In all likelihood, this is the shop regulator of Richard Bridgman (d.1904) a highly respected maker to the trade whose worked for James McCabe & Co., Charles Frodsham and Nicole, Nielsen & Co.
The regulator probably dates from the late 18th century. The movement, with its shaped plates, five knopped pillars and arched rectangular dial as well as the mahogany case appear to have been made about 1800. The Bridgman signature is actually engraved over another, previously removed.
The clock was modernized in the mid 19th century. Improvements included a substantial jeweled anchor, partially end capped train, steel crutch and cast iron bracket to support the glass jar mercury pendulum.
The front plate is stamped “ RW/58 “ which may be the mark of the original maker or, possibly, the workman who brought the clock up to date. Repair signatures on the movement date back to 1854. And indicate that by the 1920's, the clock was in the care of Samuel Hammond & Co., New York.
Richard Bridgman had a long and productive career. David Penney records him as a 'Maker of fine watches, clocks and chronometers.' Member of the BHI, many years with McCabe and afterwards "Practical Manager' at the firm of Charles Frodsham. Designer of a 'new caliper' manufactured by Nicole Nielsen & Co and designer of specialist tools: Poising tool and lever escapement anglemeter. Made redundant by Frodsham, he started work with A. E. Brindle at 45 Haymarket, London.
A gold lever watch (HM 1880) from the Hackamack collection is signed " Rich'd Bridgman Mount Street, Grosvenor Sqre - Late with - Ja's McCabe Royal Exchange London."
In 1883, Richard Bridgman [sic] (late of 18 Mount Street W) was listed in a city directory as a watchmaker at Chas. Frodsham's, 84 Strand WC .
Vaudrey Mercer writes in his account of the Frodshams, "[The] floating or hanging barrel ... had been designed by Richard Bridgman [sic] (who died in 1904). ... " Made between 1890 and 1892, this series of ½ plate watches have a separate sequence of serial numbers, 010012 - 010209. Between 1882 and 1890, the initials R B or B alone appear frequently within the regular sequence of serial numbers in the list of Frodsham's suppliers. These initials do not appear after 1890. |
