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RARE CIRCA 1870s - 1880s COMPLEX ELECTRIC FIRE ALARM BELL + SIGNAL TELEGRAPH KEY - LIKELY U.S. MADEThe heavy cast bronze fire alarm bell has G. AINSWORTH - WARR" cast into the top of the dome area. A web search has found the following:
"G. Ainsworth Warr.(abbreviation for Warrington). Ainsworth was a noted English bell caster whose products were often used in American tall case clocks."
In support of the above claim, the FREEMAN - HINDMAN'S sale of April 22, 2015 saw an American made Federal inlaid mahogany tall case clock by Samuel Breneiser of Adamstown and Reading, Pa, circa 1800, having the bell marked, "G. Ainsworth Warr" - exactly as the bell found on the FIRE ALARM BELL on offer. The tall case clock has a double scroll cresting with inlaid rosettes, brass ball and spire finials, above arched face door flanked by turned columnettes, the painted iron face with moon dial with alternating phases and patriotic devices, the white field with black enamel Roman numeral chapter ring and Arabic numeral minutes ring with oval rocking figure of a maiden and an anchor above inscription, "Samuel Breneiser Reading," "G. Ainsworth Warr" cast into bell, the spandrels decorated with allegories of the "Four Seasons," the case with lip molded, inlaid waist door and chamfered pencil lined corners, the conforming base raised on tall French bracket feet.Height: 105 1/2 in.
Thus, although the FIRE ALARM BELL on offer is unmarked, it is safe to say that it is likely of American manufacture. What further supports this statement is that the entire outer case looks to be made of WALNUT, as it is darker than the base of which its inner 'electrics' section looks to be MAHOGANY - while the surrounding FRAME is the darker WALNUT looking wood.
Mahogany is the norm for instruments coming from Europe and Great Britain, but was available here in the United States on import as well. WALNUT is indigenous to the United States and was not generally used overseas unless it was imported there to the U.K.
The "T" incised into the telegraph key finger tab must stand for "TELEGRAPH."
Wear consistentwithage and use, but displays nicely.Please see all photosasthey are part of the description.
GOOD LUCK!!!
ASK ALL QUESTIONS. ASSHOWN ABOVE - BEING ELECTRICAL SOLD "AS-IS" - NO RETURNS.
STANDARD POST SHIPPING is $75.00 in the U.S. and includes DELIVERY CONF. & INSURANCE..
Includes 13.80% SELLER'S SHIPPING SURCHARGE and 13.80% SALES TAX SURCHARGE charges SELLERS, which we SELLERS must pay. Shipments East of the Mississippi will get a partial refund on postage paid - assessed after lot ships.WE NO LONGER SELL TO GERMAN BUYERS OWING TO PROBLEMATIC & OFTEN NON-EXISTENT CUSTOMER SERVICE & WEBSITE SUPPORT GENERATED BY DHL WHICH HANDLES DEUTSCH POSTAL DISPATCHES IN GERMANY.
WE DO NOT SHIP BY UPS as they rip open boxes insured at $100 or more seeking to deny shipments containing antiques. ALL SHIPMENTS NORMALLY MADE THROUGH USPS - BUT WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEND BY FEDERAL EXPRESS GROUND INSURED. NO OVERSEAS SALES All buyersmust pay8% STATE SALES TAX.GOOD LUCK! WE COMBINE SHIPPING!
