ϒ A Victorian small two-day marine chronometer Charles Frodsham, London, circa 1845 The four pillar full-plate single chain fusee movement with Harrison's maintaining power, split bimetallic balance with keystone-shaped compensation weights, helical balance spring and faceted diamond endstone, the spotted backplate signed Charles Frodsham, London and with brass bayonet fitting dust cover, the 3.25 inch circular silvered Roman numeral dial with blued steel fleur-de-lys hands, subsidiary seconds and power reserve dials, and inscribed CHARLES FRODSHAM, 7 Pavement, Finsbury Park, London, No. 2012 to centre, set in a lacquered brass bowl with screw-down bezel mounted within pivoted gimbals with locking screw, the mahogany three-tier case with vacant nameplate to top surface and push button clasp for the top tier above inset ivory panel inscribed ARNOLD, CHARLES FRODSHAM, 84 STRAND, LONDON. to the middle tier, with brass key escutcheon over circular plate engraved with repeat serial number 2012 beneath, the sides with brass carrying handles, the box 15cm (6ins) wide. Charles Frodsham was born in 1810 into a family of clockmakers with his grandfather, William originating from Cheshire before moving to London prior to 1781 where he was admitted to the Clockmaker’s Company. His son, William James, had six sons, four of whom joined the firm of Parkinson and Frodsham in London; whilst Charles, the third born son set-up on his own at Barnes Place, Islington in 1834. He moved to 12 Finsbury Pavement in 1836 then to number 7 in 1838. On the death of the renowned chronometer maker John Roger Arnold in 1843 Charles Frodsham acquired the business and began trading as ‘Arnold, Charles Frodsham’ from 84 Strand, London. Unusually Frodsham was not admitted to the Clockmaker’s Company until 1845 but went on to serve as master twice in 1855 and 1862; he was also a founder member of the British horological Institute in 1858.Charles Frodsham became one of the most eminent chronometer makers of his generation who served as a juror in the 1852 International Exhibition held at South Kensington where he also showed a month duration marine chronometer with experimental ‘Duo-in-uno’ balance springs and three different forms of compound balance. In 1854 he purchased the ‘goodwill’ of the late Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy’s business which led to his appointment as Superintendent and Keeper of Her Majesty’s clocks at Buckingham Palace. Charles Frodsham died of liver disease in January 1871 and was succeeded by his son, Harrison Mill Frodsham. The business became Charles Frodsham and Company and in 1884 and then was incorporated as a limited Company in 1893 before relocating to 115 New Bond Street, London two years later where they remained well into the Twentieth Century. The firm is still trading today (from 32 Bury Street, London) as specialist in chronometer, watch and clock makers. The current lot appears to be one of the first chronometers sold by Frodsham after he acquired the late John Roger Arnold’s business in 1843 as the dial carries his former address (7 Pavement, Finsbury Square) whilst the box has a plaque for ‘Arnold, Charles Frodsham’ at 84 Strand, London. This fact is further supported by the existence (in the collection of the National Maritime Museum -accession number ZAA0058) of a small marine chronometer numbered 2025 and signed by Frodsham at 84 Strand which utilises a pocket chronometer movement made by Arnold in around 1802. From this it is reasonable to surmise that Frodsham initially used-up old stock, both from his Finsbury address and Arnolds former business, when he first started trading from 84 Strand in 1843. ϒ indicates that this lot may be subject to CITES regulations when exported. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information.