October Legends Closing November 1
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2014
The 1876 Muller clock is one of the most beautifully designed and rarest of all baseball antiques, combining the very popular new game of baseball with the greatest handcrafted clock era. In fact, this clock is listed in the 1876 catalog of the American Clock Company. Named for its creators, brothers Nicholas and Karl Muller, this extremely rare 19th Century clock with cast-iron face has a very elaborate design sculpted in high-relief.
There are about a dozen known examples of this clock in existence, simply titled in an 1876 Muller catalog as “Ball Players,” identified as “clock #135” and this is only the fifth known example traded at auction. Even the Baseball Hall of Fame did not have an example until 1998, when Barry Halper's Muller clock was purchased by Major League Baseball and donated to the Hall of Fame.
The design features six baseball related figures including depictions of four early important subjects. While these subjects are not identified on the clock, it is universally known the two players flanking each side of the clock are Bob Ferguson (holding a bat), outfielder and manager of the Brooklyn Atlantics, and Bobby Mathews (holding a ball), well-known pitcher for the New York Mutuals, both who were stars in the 1870s. Also, the two older gentlemen below the clock face are Henry Chadwick and Alexander Cartwright, two of the most famous 19th Century baseball individuals, and each recognizable by their distinctive facial hair.
Chadwick was the most famous sportswriter of the early days, and is featured holding a writing tablet, pen in hand, ready to report on a closely played contest. Cartwright is known as "The Father of Baseball" and one of the founding members of the original Knickerbockers, and created the Knickerbocker rules. Interestingly, Cartwright was officially declared the inventor of the modern game of baseball by the 83rd United States Congress on June 3, 1953.
The two children at the top of the clock appear to be watching a game and are commonly referred to as representing the future of the game. The clock measures 16 inches tall, 13 inches wide, and 3.5 inches deep. While the front is cast-iron, the balance of the case is made of wood. Karl Muller is well-known as one of the most important American baseball figural artists, and in addition to this clock, he created a highly regarded series of 1868 baseball figures.
The wood backing of the clock was originally designed to be opened, but this example cannot be opened as the backing is presently nailed shut, but we assume can be opened for repairs. The clock dial has moderate toning and wear, with some light scratches, with the Roman numerals appearing to have been redone. The wooden back has several light cracks and minor writing. The windup key is present and the pendulum movement accompanies the clock, but is not presently attached to the interior movement. Otherwise, we assume the mechanics are complete and in working order, but we have not opened the back panel to inspect it. As with any antique piece featuring delicate mechanisms, we cannot guarantee that any of the mechanisms are in working order, and the clock may need maintenance or internal repairs to be restored to its original working splendor. But this example continues to display as it was intended. The iron face has light wear from normal handling and the clock, despite the unknown mechanisms inside, remains in spectacular Excellent condition. The Muller clock is a magnificent work of art of great historical significance, and one of the finest nineteenth-century decorative pieces related to baseball in existence.