MUSEUM 1803 Thomas Ridgeway SOLID 18K GOLD Roskell Liverpool Fusee Pocket Watch

Description

Details:

For those that collect and know their horological history, it does not get any finer or museum grade than this. This is a provenance linked and confirmed, Solid 18k Yellow Gold Fusee Pocket Watch made by Robert Roskell of Liverpool, England. The fully hallmarked inner and outer cases were made by known Liverpool casemaker Thomas Hillsby. The hallmarks are for Chester, 1803, and 18k Gold. In addition, the engraving on the caseback links this pocket watch to a known Philadelphia figure, Thomas Ridgeway. Ridgeway’s grandson received the watch at some point and placed the engraving on the caseback for memory. This is an absolute collector’s dream! The dial is intact with hairline cracks in the porcelain. The crystal, although reglued, remains intact and pristine, also. Of note is the inclusion of the dual key fobs and gold filled chain likely unoriginal to the watch. Both keys are worn out and new keys will be needed to wind and set the watch when you receive it. The watch overall has been used in its lifetime. Overall, the case remains quite tight and in wearable condition with only table scuffs present and a few minor scratches. The movement is running strong. This is among the rarest and highest sought after of English pocket watches of the 19th century, one known nearly exact example being in the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The outer case alone weighs in at a whopping 39.4 grams! That does not even include the inner case which is likely similar in weight (not removed for ease of listing). Please see our note from the Watch Doctor below for further detail. What you see pictured here is what you will be receiving. Please ask any questions you may have before buying.

*Some Genealogy Details of Ridgeway*

Thomas Smith Ridgway was the youngest of eight children born to Quaker parents, John Ridgway and Phebe Bellangee. He married fellow Quaker, Sarah Abbott Pancoast. They were the parents of eight children. He was a successful grain merchant and later the president of Girard Life Insurance, Annuity and Trust Company, chartered in 1836. He held this position for 32 years and was described by his successor as a man “of sound judgement, unflagging industry and constant fidelity” to the company. He died in Philadelphia at the age of 89.

When Thomas Smith Ridgway was born on 5 May 1797, in Upper Springfield MM, Burlington, New Jersey, United States, his father, John Ridgway II, was 41 and his mother, Elizabeth Wright, was 41. He married Sarah Abbott Pancoast on 14 November 1821, in Burlington, New Jersey, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 6 daughters. He lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States in 1850. He died on 7 March 1887, in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, at the age of 89, and was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.

A Note From The Watch Doctor:

This piece has been evaluated by our in-house watchmaker to be in working order with no major mechanical issues present. The balance and fusee chain are both good. The watch is currently running strong and keeping time. A full service is recommended to maintain proper timekeeping function. The movement appears to be in a fine state. 

Dimensions:

Case Diameter: 57mm (excluding top stem/bow)

Case Thickness: 20mm