Lot 75

Lot 75

Exciting boudoir cabinet card showing the interior of the American Waltham Watch Factory. The idea for the famous watch company came from watchmaker, Aaron Lufkin Dennison. Born the son of a Maine shoemaker Dennison apprenticed to a jeweler for three years as a youth and moved to Boston in 1833. He became a journeyman watchmaker with the firm of Currier & Trott in Boston, leaving in 1839 to go into business on his own. There is a long history available through multiple sources but during the Civil War their pocket watch named the “William Ellery,” accounted for 45% of their sales. Founder Dennison remained as superintendent of the Waltham facility until 1862. By 1885 the name was changed to the American Waltham Watch Company which is approximately the date of this photograph. 
We find the height of the long working desk curious as all the men are chest high which would seem an awkward position for precision work, but surely there was a reason. Numerous tools and precision instruments are seen on the table and around the room. While most of the workers took a break for the photographer to capture their image a couple of diligent men decided to keep working to fulfill the day’s quota. The image is in very good plus condition with nice tones and contrast. The back has a list of the areas of the factory Webster photographed but we see no corresponding number in the original negative. A wonderful interior occupational photo of an iconic company that changed the way the public and the railroads kept time.

Opening bid $85