Lot Essay
This handsome gentleman was a man of many skills. Born in Sag Harbor, New York, in 1809, Ephraim Niles Byram became a renowned clock maker and astronomer, developing a reputation as a mechanical genius. He was a self-taught mechanic, known for his precision and accuracy, and contributed to the Sag Harbor community through his various endeavors.
In his clock-making business, not only did he build tower clocks for local churches, but many of his patrons hailed from far afield. Notable commissions included New York City Hall, the Philadelphia State House, and the United States Military Academy at West Point. In addition to these larger projects, he constructed tall-case clocks for private use. Byram was a well known astronomer as well. In the early 1830s, he constructed his Universal Planetarium and was praised in the Journal of the American Institute's October 1837 publication for his advanced construction. Byram used his mechanical skills alongside his knowledge in astronomy to create an advanced model of our solar system, run by clock-work, that was recognized as superior over former orrery constructions. The invention was exhibited across the country. Byram created the celestial globe depicted in the present lot, which now resides in the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum.
Byram’s close proximity to Sag Harbor’s international port allowed him to work in another field of interest: nautical instruments and navigational devices, and solving their malfunctions. He repaired compasses, chronometers and telescopes, many of which belonged to ships docked in the port. Alongside these pursuits, Byram also maintained a successful bookbinding workshop.
Orlando Hand Bears (1811-1851), another Sag Harbor native, sought to capitalize on the prosperity of eastern Long Island and coastal Connecticut in the first half of the nineteenth century, generated by the burgeoning whaling industry. It’s possible Bears was taught by Hubbard Fordham, another Sag Harbor painter and distant relative. Ship captains, merchants and their families were Bears' subjects. The few signed and dated Bears' portraits, such as the present portrait, date from the mid to late 1830's.
In his clock-making business, not only did he build tower clocks for local churches, but many of his patrons hailed from far afield. Notable commissions included New York City Hall, the Philadelphia State House, and the United States Military Academy at West Point. In addition to these larger projects, he constructed tall-case clocks for private use. Byram was a well known astronomer as well. In the early 1830s, he constructed his Universal Planetarium and was praised in the Journal of the American Institute's October 1837 publication for his advanced construction. Byram used his mechanical skills alongside his knowledge in astronomy to create an advanced model of our solar system, run by clock-work, that was recognized as superior over former orrery constructions. The invention was exhibited across the country. Byram created the celestial globe depicted in the present lot, which now resides in the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum.
Byram’s close proximity to Sag Harbor’s international port allowed him to work in another field of interest: nautical instruments and navigational devices, and solving their malfunctions. He repaired compasses, chronometers and telescopes, many of which belonged to ships docked in the port. Alongside these pursuits, Byram also maintained a successful bookbinding workshop.
Orlando Hand Bears (1811-1851), another Sag Harbor native, sought to capitalize on the prosperity of eastern Long Island and coastal Connecticut in the first half of the nineteenth century, generated by the burgeoning whaling industry. It’s possible Bears was taught by Hubbard Fordham, another Sag Harbor painter and distant relative. Ship captains, merchants and their families were Bears' subjects. The few signed and dated Bears' portraits, such as the present portrait, date from the mid to late 1830's.