Universum Clock Co, 1 Beacon St, Boston, MA.

A very rare turn of the century celestial clock with both a 24-hour dial and a celestial calendar dial in a glazed mahogany case. The adapted tandem wind Seth Thomas movement is wound and set from the back. The mahogany case has applied engraved patinated plaques to the corners and across the bottom and a large brass ball above the dial that represents the sun. The plaques show different astronomical facts and events.
The paneled back has a door that provides access to the movement which is necessary when reassembling the dials.
The engraved aluminum time dial also carries a map of the northern hemisphere with the time zones included. The celestial dial has the planets, stars and constellations in red, green and black ink. As the two dials turn the sky is represented for each calendar day when observed from the northern hemisphere.

Advertised in many periodicals and papers, especially the science-based ones, between 1894-1898. They were fitted in either mahogany, ebonized or oak cases and used adapted No.10 Seth Thomas movements. The added mechanism, which advances the calendar/celestial dial, looks like it was originally fitted by Seth Thomas.
Case with original finish.
Back of case has instructions in a faded pencil that are dated 1907 and a paper label with the number 139.

Originally it was intended to be used as a learning device and was meant to indicate the changing sky throughout the year.

No.1 Beacon Street was the location of the Albion Office Building.

Celestial dial has small repair.

Reported to have been designed by August W. Nitsch.

An ebony version displayed at the Essex Museum is listed in Wallace Nutting’s The Clock Book, Clock No.120.

For a contemporary article about the piece see: ‘The Jewelers Circular and Horological Review, July 22, 1896, pg.29.