Silver Desk Compendium
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1915
According to the auction catalog, this Swiss-made silver desk compendium dates to circa 1915 and was retailed by Spaulding & Co. in Chicago. Constructed in a parallelogram form, the polished three-body silver case integrates a keyless 8-day clock, a barometer with a curved bezel, and a top-mounted compass under a hinged triangular handle.
The catalog notes that the reverse features two hinged doors: one fitted with dual Centigrade and Fahrenheit thermometers, and the other housing a manual triple-date calendar. The champagne clock dial features radial Roman numerals and blued steel spade hands, driven by a frosted gilt movement with a straight-line lever escapement.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Case
- Three-body, parallelogram-shaped, polished silver
- Type
- Travel & alarm clock
- Retailer
- Spaulding & Co., (Chicago)
- Circa Date
- circa 1915
- Clock Dial
- Champagne with painted radial Roman numerals
- Dimensions
- 11.4 x 6.6 x 6.8 cm
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Spaulding & Co.
Design
- Visible features
- • Parallelogram-shaped silver case showing visible tarnishing and surface oxidation along edges. • A round clock face with Roman numerals is set on one side, and an aneroid barometer dial is set on the adjacent side. • A compass is mounted on the top surface beneath a folded triangular handle. • Accompanied by a black fitted presentation or travel box showing wear at the clasp.
- Dial and Timekeeping
- The clock dial is champagne-colored with painted radial Roman numerals and outer minute divisions, featuring blued steel spade hands. The source describes the movement as frosted gilt, incorporating a large ratcheted barrel, a straight-line lever escapement, a bimetallic compensation balance, and a flat balance spring with an index regulator. The movement is noted to be wound by a folding winder.
- Construction and Form
- The object is a Swiss-made desk compendium housed in a three-body, parallelogram-shaped polished silver case. The design incorporates curved bezels housing the clock and barometer dials, topped by a compass beneath a hinged triangular handle. The rear of the case is fitted with two hinged doors; according to the source, these access secondary functions, though these are not visible in the available documentation.
- Source Reported Features
- The compendium acts as a multi-functional desk set. The auction catalog records the presence of manual triple-date calendar functionality and dual thermometers graduated for Centigrade and Fahrenheit, both located on the reverse hinged doors. The source provides an approximate manufacturing date of circa 1915, with Spaulding & Co. of Chicago noted as the retailer.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The rear doors fitted with the thermometers and triple-date calendar are not visible in this photograph.
- Research required: Internal movement features and manufacturer marks rely on auction catalog description.