DESCRIPTION:
APW - Rockford, marked with low s#44, mvt marked "M M Pomeroy, Denver, Col," mvt also marked "15 R" on barrel bridge, 18S, HC model mvt cased as sidewinder in NI OF glassback case which is as made without bow, SW-LS transitional style with retained KW arbor on barrel, WE-SSD, lever escapement, 15J, GJS, gilt mvt, s#44. Movement has been disassembled and bears s#44 on pillar plate, balance cock, balance spar, winding bridge, barrel bridge, barrel, and barrel cover; mvt bears number 4 on hour and minute wheels. Intriguing piece with a seemingly very early serial but with some features such as the "15 R" marking and lever-set style that would suggest an actual finish date some years later into Rockford's production. We believe this was likely Pomeroy's personal watch rather than being the more typical jeweler's private label marking for retail purposes, and an internet search reveals some colorful history of Marcus Mills "Brick" Pomeroy (1833-1896). In his earlier years Pomeroy was a writer and political commentator, serving as editor for and owner of several successful newspapers. During the Civil War he was a prominent "Copperhead" (a Northern Democrat in opposition to the war that supported immediate settlement with the Confederates), and while serving as editor for the "La Crosse Democrat" Pomeroy was known for being fiercely critical of Abraham Lincoln. In 1879 Pomeroy moved to Denver and became involved in a number of mining ventures, the most ambitious of which was his "Atlantic Pacific Tunnel Co" which sought to create a tunnel of several miles length through the crest of the Colorado Rocky Mountains in hopes of profiting from both the mined ore and from the creation of a functioning railroad passage which would reduce the rail distance from Denver to Salt Lake City by some 20 miles, but after some initial progress the Atlantic Pacific Tunnel Co was ultimately a failure with work ceasing by about 1890.
CONDITION:
Mvt: GRO, near mint mvt condition overall, bright gilt tone, plates with some UFS and mild MFS, few very mild spots, bright steelwork, patina on the GJS; dial with some flakes at center, lesser flaking at edge near 6; near mint hands; case shows little wear and some mild tarnish, typical MFS, small nick to right side of rear; crown shows little wear; good glass crystals.
ESTIMATE:
$500
-
$1000
PRICE SOLD:
$1200
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