A rare mahogany calendrical longcase clock with terrestrial planisphere, Henry Jenkins, London, circa 1770, movement and case associated

12-inch engraved silvered dial signed Henry Jenkins, Cheap Side, London, with calendar aperture, subsidiary dials for month and solar time, a printed and coloured paper terrestrial planisphere for the northern hemisphere in the arch revolving within a 2 x 12 hours ring, overlaid with an engraved latitude bar, a horizontal wire connected to the month dial indicating changes in the length of days throughout the year, strike/no strike lever at IX, the rack and bell trip repeating movement with five knopped pillars, the associated case with concave-sided cresting and spire finials, tapered hood pillars, broken arch trunk door and panelled plinth, the interior of the door with an old hand-written description of the clock in Italian

Henry Jenkins highly complicated masterpiece clock was sold in these rooms as lot 205 3^rd October 1991 and may now be seen in the British Museum. Two further astronomical clocks by Henry Jenkins are illustrated and described Cescinsky and Webster English Domestic Clocks  figs.242 & 339. Some of these clocks are described in a book written by the clockmaker A description of several Astronomical and Geographical Clocks published 1778; a copy of this book was purchased for the library of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers' by Benjamin Vuliamy in 1815.

PROSPECTIVE BUYERS MUST INSPECT. Movement and dial much in need of a clean, some calendar work replaced and some lacking, minute hand detached because fixing pin hole through centre arbor is broken. The associated case has been stripped and repolished, old cracks marks, chips and veneer losses throughout, paper label inside case is incomplete. With pendulum, 2 brass-cased weights, winder and 2 case keys.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

 

Henry Jenkins was in business from about 1730 and worked first at 46 Cheapside from 1756 to 1774 and then at 68 Aldersgate Street until circa 1782. By his own account his education was limited and before the age of ten was sent from his home in Cornwall to serve an apprenticeship under a tailor. This tailor agreed to teach him writing and arithmetic but apparently discouraged reading and study. Jenkins served his master for eight years, experienced three year's illness `occasioned by ill usage I received from him', married and reared nine children, all of whom died before 1778. How he acquired the superb clockmaking skill which enabled him to  produce  such complicated calendrical and astronomical clocks  is not clear.