Artist/Maker:

Vogler, John

Place Made:

Date Made:

1820-1840 C.

Medium:

copper –wood

Dimensions:

DIA 2 1/4

Accession Number:

421.5 a

Description:

This plate is among the most important artifacts that survive from the John Vogler shop. It was made and used by John Vogler to engrave watch papers for the watches he repaired.

Watch papers were a type of advertisement. They were placed inside the case of a customers’ watch after it had been repaired. Early watches had to be wound, sometimes daily. Each day when the case was opened the owner would be reminded of who repaired their watch.

This is one of three extant watch paper plates made by Vogler. It is believed to be the plate that Vogler used towards the end of his career (1830-1845) because of the high skill of the engraving and the lack of wear. Although the eagle motif was used by Vogler throughout the early 19th century, the eagle engraved on the top of this plate is quite similar to a very popular motif used at the top of wooden factory-made New England shelf clocks of the period.

DESCRIPTION: Round copper engraving plate mounted on wood.

Credit Line:

Gift of Mrs. Mary Patterson Fisher