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Dickory, Dickory, Dock Novelty Clock
ca. 1910
New Haven Clock Co. (1853-1960)
USA: Connecticut, New Haven
Wood, paper, paint, metal
a: 43-1/2"h x 9-1/4"w x 3-3/4"d; c: 10-3/8"h x 5-3/4"w x 1/2"d
Gift of Mrs. Willis R. Michael
75.66.10a-c

Dickory, Dickory, Dock novelty clock; a: clock case model #2 (mouse); vertical linear case painted black; ivory mouse time indicator ascends in slotted track; painted nursery rhyme of "Dickory [sic] Dickory Dock, The Mouse Ran Up the Clock" etc. Marked: "New Haven Clock Co. No. 912833 Pat. Feb. 16, 1909"; dial: linear numerals beside indicator track, ascending 1 to 12, and 1 repeated; b: winding key; c: door: was attached to back of clock (hinge broken); paper label attached reads in part "DUNGAN & KLUMP / ORIGINATORS AND MANUFACTURERS / 1208 CHESTNUT ST., PHILADELPHIA, PA. / U.S.A. / DIRECTIONS FOR CARE OF CLOCK..."


Inspired by his daughter Emily’s love of a classic nursery rhyme, Elmer Ellsworth Dungan (1862–1930) created the Dickory, Dickory, Dock Clock. Twice a day, a mouse runs up the side and then falls down. With a partner he patented and promoted the clock, which New Haven Clock Company manufactured. Difficult and expensive to produce, the clock did not bring the partnership much, if any, income. The clock, however, charms collectors today.



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