Pocket watch
Date
1854
Creator - Organisation
E J Dent and Company (est.1840, British), Clockmaker
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (object): 65mm
width (object): 48mm
depth (object): 10mm
height (box): 100mm
width (box): 81mm
depth (box): 24mm
width (object): 48mm
depth (object): 10mm
height (box): 100mm
width (box): 81mm
depth (box): 24mm
Content object
Description
Pocket watch in 18 carat gold, hunter cased, with an enamel main dial and subsidiary second dial. Three-quarter plate key-wound fusee movement. Ratchet tool lever escapement and plain gold balance.
The dial is signed ‘E.J.DENT LONDON 21093’ and the movement is further engraved ‘Watchmaker to the Queen’. The case has engine-turned decoration and has an outer circular inscription: ‘May I number none but happy hours’. Hallmarks appear on the inner case. The cuvette has the dedicatory inscription: ‘THIS WATCH TOGETHER WITH 325 GUINEAS was Presented TO THE Rev. Henry Stebbing D.D. F.R.S. to commemorate the completion of a period of 25 Years’ Ministry at St. JAMES’S CHAPEL HAMPSTEAD ROAD and to express the affection, esteem and gratitude of the congregation and the admiration felt by his numerous friends 24th NOVEMBER 1854.’
The watch has a black leather box, the top of which has the gilt inscription: ‘DENT 34 ROYAL EXCHANGE LONDON’. On the right side front corner is the numeral ‘10’. The inner protective lining is of blue velvet. The inner box lid is lined with white silk, printed in blue with the coat of arms of the Prince of Wales. ‘E. DENT & CO. MAKERS TO HER MAJESTY H.R.H THE PRINCE OF WALES & H.I.M. THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. 34 ROYAL EXCHANGE E.C. & 61 STRAND W.C.’ The base has three paper labels inscribed in ink: ‘Mr. Stebbing’ and a circular label overlaying an earlier one ‘72/9196’.
Steel and brass winding key bears a crown design and is inscribed: ‘C.S.S.A. BEDFORD ST. W.’ with verso ‘& QUEEN VICTORIA ST. E.C.’ and the numeral ‘6’. 43x14x2mm.
Edward John Dent (1790-1853) British watchmaker, known for producing scientific chronometers and for the great clock in the Houses of Parliament popularly known as ‘Big Ben’.
Henry Stebbing (1799-1843) author and Church of England clergyman was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1845.
The dial is signed ‘E.J.DENT LONDON 21093’ and the movement is further engraved ‘Watchmaker to the Queen’. The case has engine-turned decoration and has an outer circular inscription: ‘May I number none but happy hours’. Hallmarks appear on the inner case. The cuvette has the dedicatory inscription: ‘THIS WATCH TOGETHER WITH 325 GUINEAS was Presented TO THE Rev. Henry Stebbing D.D. F.R.S. to commemorate the completion of a period of 25 Years’ Ministry at St. JAMES’S CHAPEL HAMPSTEAD ROAD and to express the affection, esteem and gratitude of the congregation and the admiration felt by his numerous friends 24th NOVEMBER 1854.’
The watch has a black leather box, the top of which has the gilt inscription: ‘DENT 34 ROYAL EXCHANGE LONDON’. On the right side front corner is the numeral ‘10’. The inner protective lining is of blue velvet. The inner box lid is lined with white silk, printed in blue with the coat of arms of the Prince of Wales. ‘E. DENT & CO. MAKERS TO HER MAJESTY H.R.H THE PRINCE OF WALES & H.I.M. THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. 34 ROYAL EXCHANGE E.C. & 61 STRAND W.C.’ The base has three paper labels inscribed in ink: ‘Mr. Stebbing’ and a circular label overlaying an earlier one ‘72/9196’.
Steel and brass winding key bears a crown design and is inscribed: ‘C.S.S.A. BEDFORD ST. W.’ with verso ‘& QUEEN VICTORIA ST. E.C.’ and the numeral ‘6’. 43x14x2mm.
Edward John Dent (1790-1853) British watchmaker, known for producing scientific chronometers and for the great clock in the Houses of Parliament popularly known as ‘Big Ben’.
Henry Stebbing (1799-1843) author and Church of England clergyman was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1845.
Object history
The watch was presented to the Royal Society in 1961-1962 and noted in Royal Society Minutes of Council, Printed, vol.21 1961-1964, p.17, minute 15 for the meeting of 11 January 1962. ‘Reported a bequest to the Royal Society by William Pinckard Delane Stebbing of a silver tray and gold watch which belonged to his grandfather the Rev. Henry Stebbing D.D., F.R.S. The tray and watch were displayed at the meeting of Council.’ The timepiece was subsequently noted in the updated list of ‘Instruments and Historical Relics’ within The Record of the Royal Society of London: supplement to the fourth edition for the years 1940-1989, by John S. Rowlinson and Norman H. Robinson (London, The Royal Society, 1992), pp.89-91.
William Pinckard Delane Stebbing (1873-1961) antiquary and author.
The watch was accompanied by three associated documents. A manuscript letter from the Committee of Members of the Congregation of St James’s Chapel, n.d., to Henry Stebbing provides general wishes for his wellbeing. This has ten signatures, generally of women, commencing with Harriet J Butler.
An accompanying printed testimonial from G.P. Nicholls and William Sandby, Honorary Secretaries to the Committee of St James’s Chapel, December 1854, describing the circumstances of the gift to Stebbing and reproducing a letter of acknowledgement from Henry Stebbing, St James’s Parsonage, Hampstead Road, November 1854 to ‘My Dear Friends’, [eg his congregation].
A third letter from Thomas R. R. Stebbing and Mary A. Stebbing, Ephraim Lodge, The Common, Tunbridge Wells, 8 May 1894, presenting the watch to their son, William P. D. Stebbing, 79 Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, London. With its original envelope.
William Pinckard Delane Stebbing (1873-1961) antiquary and author.
The watch was accompanied by three associated documents. A manuscript letter from the Committee of Members of the Congregation of St James’s Chapel, n.d., to Henry Stebbing provides general wishes for his wellbeing. This has ten signatures, generally of women, commencing with Harriet J Butler.
An accompanying printed testimonial from G.P. Nicholls and William Sandby, Honorary Secretaries to the Committee of St James’s Chapel, December 1854, describing the circumstances of the gift to Stebbing and reproducing a letter of acknowledgement from Henry Stebbing, St James’s Parsonage, Hampstead Road, November 1854 to ‘My Dear Friends’, [eg his congregation].
A third letter from Thomas R. R. Stebbing and Mary A. Stebbing, Ephraim Lodge, The Common, Tunbridge Wells, 8 May 1894, presenting the watch to their son, William P. D. Stebbing, 79 Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, London. With its original envelope.
Associated place