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Lot Essay
James Tuerlingx, apparently a Swiss emigré, received his U.S. patent number 16, 3444 titled Maintaining power for timepieces. His invention consists in a peculiar arrangement of parts for applying a weight fixed to a spiral or screw, so that, as said weight runs down and revolves on said screw, it gives motion to the other parts of a clock, either to drive the time or striking gear or both. And in connection with said arrangement of revolving weight, I make use of a peculiar means for winding the clock by raising up said weight at the same time that a retaining power is applied to continue the motions of the clock in winding.
Little is known of Tuerlingx, he apparently disappeared during the Civil War. Another clock of this type is illustrated in Brooks Palmer, The Book of American Clocks. Although the mechanism on the Palmer clock is the same, the configuration of the dial is different and in addition it is inscribed "The American Screw Clock". The same clock is also illustrated on the cover of The Dictionary of American Clock and Watchmakers by Kenneth Sposato.
Little is known of Tuerlingx, he apparently disappeared during the Civil War. Another clock of this type is illustrated in Brooks Palmer, The Book of American Clocks. Although the mechanism on the Palmer clock is the same, the configuration of the dial is different and in addition it is inscribed "The American Screw Clock". The same clock is also illustrated on the cover of The Dictionary of American Clock and Watchmakers by Kenneth Sposato.