Oak Longcase Clock by Humphrey Birch of Hoddesdon

A good provincial oak longcase clock from the County of Hertfordshire.

The 8 day duration five pillar movement striking the hours on a bell and with a 12" arched brass dial, a silvered brass chapter ring, matted centre showing seconds, date aperture, finely made blued steel hands and brass spandrels to both the arch and main dial. The arch also with a silvered brass cartouche showing the makers name and place of work.

The well proportioned oak case with a long trunk door, brass escutcheon and a plain base with single plinth. The hood with attached pillars, gilt wooden capitals, inspection windows to both sides and a broken arch top.

Note: Humphrey Birch is listed as a Watchmaker during the last part of the 18th century. Hoddesdon was a major Coaching stop and at one point over 35 Coaches would pass through the town each day on their way from London to Cambridge.