Collection of Joe Matthews and John Shank | July 9, 2026
Thu, Jul 9, 2026 10:00AM EDT
Lot 29
Southern Shepherdstown Federal Inlaid and Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Signed Jacob Craft
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for
$2,200
Sold Price excludes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
early 19th century, 8 day brass movement, second sweep and date aperture, paint decorated dial, moonphase painted with naval and village scenes, signed "Jacob Craft / Shepherdstown", waisted case with figured frieze and bookmatched base, yellow pine and poplar secondaries, two weights and pendulum included, interior with typed note with brief historical information on the clock (see photos), 89-3/4 x 22-1/4 x 11-1/4 in.
Provenance: The Collection of Joe Matthews and John Shank, Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Note: Jacob Craft was a German immigrant who settled in Shepherdstown as early as 1787 and practiced clockmaking until sometime before his death in 1825. Moon dial reverse marked "Wilson Birm," for James Wilson of Birmingham, England, a leading manufacturer of painted dials and dial components (including moon wheels) supplied to the trade from the 1770s until his death in 1809. The false plate behind the dial is inscribed "Nolen & Curtis Boston," for Spencer Nolen and Samuel Curtis, Boston dial painters active in two partnerships in the early 19th century who decorated and assembled dials for clockmakers across the region. Sourcing dial components and decoration from outside specialists was standard practice for the period, with the clockmaker's name on the dial typically denoting the retailer or assembler rather than the maker of every part. A documented Jacob Craft clock with a Wilson marked false plate is documented by Historic Shepherdstown.
Available payment options
Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.
The Collection of Joe Matthews and John Shank, Shepherdstown, West Virginia
has not been tested, case uprights with later extensions (movement and case possibly associated), probably original walnut saddleboard, dial paint in good condition but moonphase with paint loss, case door missing stop block, feet and blocking probably original with later finish at underside, the feet reattached with later glue throughout, proper right rear foot with repair to break, veneer with checking and loss to base, typical surface wear throughout Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.
