The Alexander Allaire Very Rare Queen Anne Ebonized White Pine Tall Case Clock, works by Anthony Ward, New York, New York, circa 1730

Dial inscribed Anth^{o Ward} / New York.

Accompanying label states: This clock was owned by Alexander Allaire, son of the Hugenot, Alexander Allaire), who lived near White Plains about the year 1736.  By Descent it came to his daughter Sarah, who married John Martine and who also live near White Plains.  At her death it was purchased by Anthony Martine.  And from him it was purchased (together with a looking glass said to have been imported by Alexander the Huguenot) by James P. Allaire who brought it the Howel Works in the year 1855.

Sophia Perry, "Early History Recalled: Old Grandfather Clock Back in Westchester", The Reporter Dispatch, April 3, 1957;
Helm Easley, "Timeless Timepiece Back at Gas Station", The Journal News, September 18, 2002

Brass molding and glass oculus on door replaced; 19th-century black paint over apparent original surface; lock on waist door replaced; backboard inscribed in chalk with different numbers and letters; finials replaced; weights replaved; with winder key and door key.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Anthony Ward (probably 1669-1746) is one of America's earliest and least known colonial clockmakers.  Born in Lanlivery Rural and by 1705 working in Truro, both in the country of Cornwall, England, Anthony Ward appears to have begun his working career in American in Philadelphia, where he was admitted a freeman in 1717 and his occupation recorded as a clockmaker.  Identifying himself as a clockmaker and residing in Philadelphia, he placed a notice in the American Weekly Mercury three years later in response to rumors that he was in debt.  He move to New York in 1724 and in 1729 advertise the sale of hops in the New-York Gazette, referring to himself as a watchmaker.¹  It appears that only approximately seven Ward clocks survive and of those all but one example originate from his New York period.²

This note is excerpted from Frank L. Hohmann, Timeless: Masterpiece American Brass Dial Clocks, (New York: Hohmann Holdings LLC, 2009), pp. 357-8 1

¹ Brooks Palmer, The Book of American Clocks, (New York, Macmillian, 1950), p. 302; Alfred Coxe Prime, The Arts and Crafts in Philadelphia, Maryland and South Carolina, Part I: 1721-1785, (New York: Da Capo Press, 1969), p.268; Charles T. Lyle and Philip D. Zimmerman, "Furniture of the Monmouth County Historical Association", The Magazine Antiques 117 no. 1 (January 1980), p. 189; James W. Gibbs, Pennsylvania Clocks and Watches: Antique Timepieces and Their Makers, (University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1984), p. 77; Sonya L. Spittler, Thomas J. Spittler and Chris H. Bailey, American Clockmakers and Watchmakers, (Fairfax, VA: Arlington Book Company, 2000), p. 310; J. Carter Harris, The Clock and Watch Makers American Advertiser, (Sussex, UK: Antiquarian Horological Society, 2003), pp. 437-8, nos. 1975, 1975; David Sperling, "Anthony Ward and Aaron Miller: Master and Apprentice?", Maine Antique Digest, September 2004, pp. 30B; David Sperling, "The First cockmaker of Elizabethtown, New Jersey?", Maine Antique Digest, July 2006.

² The examples include one at the Bowne House in Flushing, New York (see Dean F. Failey, Long Island is My Nation: The Decorative Arts & Craftsmen 1640-1830, (Cold Spring Harbor, New York: Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities, 1988), pp. 20-1, no. 14). One is in the collection of the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum (see Frank L. Hohmann, Timeless: Masterpiece American Brass Dial Clocks, (New York: Hohmann Holdings LLC, 2009), pp. 192-3 and John A. H. Sweeney, The Treasure House of Early American Rooms, (New York: Viking Press, 1963) p. 24). One is in the collections of the Monmouth County Historical Association (see Charles T. Lyle and Philip D. Zimmerman, "Furniture of the Monmouth County Historical Association", The Magazine Antiques 117 no. 1 (January 1980), p. 189). One was sold at Sotheby's, New York, Masterpieces from the Time Museum, June 19, 2002, lot 141 and another was offered at Sotheby's New York, Important Americana, January 23, 2010, sale 8608, lot 476. One was sold at Dawson and Nye Auctions, Morris Plaines, New Jersey, January 24, 2004.  Lastly, the currently offered clock is mentioned in an article by Helm Easley, "Timeless Timepiece Back at Gas Station", The Journal News, September 18, 2002 availble at http://sackheritage.com/articles/articles.php?articleID=26.