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The Engle Monumental Clock

The lack of mechanisms to operate the calendar and astronomical functions in the Engle clock is understandable, given that Engle was probably hard pressed to have the phase 2 clock finished, and that the new configuration and articulation of the figures take up most of the available room in the case. However, it is rather incongruous that Capt. Reid distributed lithograph cards with a color picture of the clock on one side, and a "$50,000 Challenge" on the other. The challenge stated, "1st. That Stephen D. Engle is the first and only man in the World, who ever invented and constructed, individually, an Apostolic, Musical, and Astronomical Clock. 2nd. that the Engle Clock does more and better work than any Clock in the World." The challenge further elaborates that the clock ". . . operates more dials, has more wonderful mechanisms, and more delicate movements, beside being more beautifully designed and finished than any mechanical invention or work of art beneath the sun."

Figure 6. Movement that operates the Apostles and the three Marys.

The flourishes of Capt. Reid's Victorian prose aside, the movements, of which there were three, plus the organ mechanism, in the second phase clock, are ingenious. The movement that operates the apostles and the three Mary’s as well as a nest of bells (Figure 6) sits behind and slightly above the main three train movement. The third movement, attached to the top of the tower, operates the Roman soldier, who constantly marches back and forth across the parapet. The second movement is powered by an approximately 30-pound weight. The smaller third movement takes about an eight-pound weight. All of the movements must be wound every few hours, and the organ mechanism, taking about a 35-pound weight, must be wound after about 10 minutes of operation, thus requiring almost constant attention while the clock is operating.

One of the probable reasons Engle kept expanding the size and scope of his clock is that imitations began to appear shortly after the 2nd phase clock went on exhibit. The immediate success of the Engle clock was largely due to its uniqueness. Nothing like it had been shown to the public before, and its financial success and fame quickly sent several "inventors" scurrying to build their own monument clocks and cash in on this new form of entertaining horology, thus starting a whole new genre of clocks that lasted until well after the turn of the century, and eventually numbering over two dozen. For the most part, these "imitations" used different patriotic and historic themes incorporated into their tableaus, but a few of the early ones were out-and- attempts to copy Engle. One of the most blatant examples is the John Fiester apostolic clock (Figure 7), which not only incorporates most of the features in the same arrangements used in Engle's phase 1 and 2 clocks, but was advertised as the "9th Wonder" when it was exhibited.

Figure 7. The John Fiester Apostolic clock

Early flyers of the Engle clock state on the cover, "BEWARE OF IMITATIONS—Remember this is the clock a description and engraving of which appeared in Frank Leslie's Illustrated newspaper, April 13, 1878. The only clock in the world rightfully billed as the ENGLE CLOCK." Fiester claimed he worked on his clock from 1867 to 1878, but it is more likely that it was started around 1877 and finished in 1879 or 80. Fiester reportedly did all the cabinetwork and carving on his clock, but the mechanical works is a mixture of old, new, and modified clock parts, mostly tall case movements, with a Swiss spring driven music box in the base. The window in Fiester's clock that simulates Engle's tellurian in the base is a rotating disc with several period portraits of unknown gentlemen taken by a Lancaster, Pennsylvania photographer.

In the spring of 1878, a new array of, advertising materials appeared depicting a clock that is indeed impressive. Posters, a four page "newspaper" called the "Engle Clock Times," and various lithographs and pamphlets declare "Strasburg Outdone!" and "A Triumph of Art." The third and final stage of Engle's clock, consisting now of three towers, two organ movements, forty eight moving figures, and a new type of tellurian, is hailed as "Truly the 8th Wonder of the World." Capt. Reid outdoes himself in his use of superlatives, and the press is quick to agree with him. A York, Pennsylvania newspaper states, "The exhibition of this famous clock in York closed on Saturday night. Notwithstanding the several days of very inclement weather, the exhibition was exceedingly well patronized by the citizens of York and vicinity. During the week there were 7,982 cash admissions, and this flattering result, under the circumstances, goes far to show the intrinsic merit of the clock, and also that the public were not humbugged." (York Daily, January 14, 1878).

	Click on card back for enlarged view
Front of Card	Back of Card
Figure 8. Copy of an original lithograph advertising card.