Posted 8 months ago
rlwindle
(160 items)
This is an advertising clock made by the New Haven Clock Co. for the Duke tabaco Co. The clock was filthy when I got it with so much nicotine residue on it I had to use paint stripper to get it off finally.
Washington Duke
In 1865, using a converted corn crib as a factory, Duke started his first company, W. Duke and Sons, and began production of pipe tobacco under the brand name Pro Bono Publico (For the Public Good). According to Duke, he, along with his sons Ben and Buck, produced between 400 and 500 pounds of pipe tobacco per day As their company prospered, they built a two-story factory on the homestead in 1869. In 1874, Washington Duke sold his farm and moved his family into the rapidly growing city of Durham. He and his sons built a factory on Main Street, and Washington spent the rest of the decade as a traveling salesman for Pro Bono Publico.
In 1880, at the age of 60, Washington Duke sold his share in the business to Richard Harvey Wright, a farmer from nearby Franklin County. W. Duke, Sons & Co., led by Washington Duke's son Buck as president, eventually achieved great success as a manufacturer of cigarettes. This business became the American Tobacco Company around 1890. Through merging multiple partners and through floating stock, the company became the largest tobacco manufacturer in the world.
After selling his share in the company, Washington Duke became more involved with local politics as a member of the Republican Party, and devoted more time to charitable and philanthropic works. A lifelong member and supporter of the Methodist church, Duke began to support local churches financially, as well as institutions of higher learning. Duke helped to bring Trinity College, a Methodist college, to Durham from Randolph County in 1890. In 1896 while Trinity College was struggling financially, Duke donated $100,000 to the institution on the condition that it "open its doors to women, placing them on equal footing with men. In appreciation, the school offered to rename itself after Duke, which he declined.
Washington Duke died at his home in Durham on May 8, 1905, at the age of 84. Originally interred at Maplewood Cemetery in Durham, he was later re-interred in the Memorial Chapel within the Duke University Chapel. In the 1910s, members of the Duke family began to plan what would become the Duke Endowment of Trinity College. After the indenture for the $40,000,000 was signed in December 1924 by Washington's youngest son, James B. Duke, Trinity College renamed itself Duke University in honor of Washington Duke, in accordance with the terms of the indenture. Today, a statue of Washington Duke sits on Duke University's East Campus.
About the Clock
This New Haven clock has a cast iron case that is decorated with animals and flowers and has a distinctive aesthetic style. The case is 13 ½ inches high, 15 inches wide and 5 ¾ inches deep it is cast iron and weighs about 35 lbs.. The case has two birds, two dogs and a deer on the front. The clock has a two color double sunk dial with an open escapement. The face is marked W. Duke sons & Co. for the North Carolina tobacco maker. This was likely a promotional item that was given out to Tobacconists who sold their products.
The New Haven model Clock number 26 came in a brass or nickel finish, for two dollars more you could add a dog finial.
