Antique Thomas Cole strut clock with calendar. High quality strut clock by this eminent maker. Early model being pre-numbered. In leather carry case. Retailed by Hunt & Roskell and signed by them on the dial. The multi layered case, in the typical form used by this eminent maker all the nice features with turnbuckle foot, spring loaded second strut, spring loaded back flap for movement, fleur de lys hands. Cole simplified his design on his later struts, removing some of the nice features, and with less highly engraved and elaborate cases. Beautifully engraved all over, with folding loop handle. The backs of his early clocks like this model are beautifully constructed, the shutter that exposes the escapement is spring loaded, whilst there is a spring loaded strut support on the back of the clock for resting at an angle and a turnbuckle foot underneath the clock for standing upright. 8 day duration movement with lever escapement. Thomas Cole, son of James Cole, a fine clockmaker himself was born in 1800. Thomas went into partnership with his older brother James Ferguson Cole, also a gifted clockmaker, at no. 3 New Bond Street in 1823 until around 1829, his movements unknown after this, until reappearing in 1838. Thomas Cole produced his first strut clocks, of which he invented in 1845. This is a wonderfully fine and rare clock with its original double ended key for winding the clock and setting the calendar. Circa 1845 6.6 inches high by 4.2 inches wide (16.5 cm by 10.5 cm)