DESCRIPTION:
APW - Illinois, "The Miners' Watch" marked mvt, "W. Manning Virginia Nev." marked dial, 11J, 18S, coin silver OF original pair case with hidden key within pendant, nickel cuvette, white enamel SS dial, KWKS, gilt mvt, s#30957. A very interesting and notably rare private label signature, this is only the second example of the Illinois "The Miners' Watch" which we have encountered. Virginia City, Nevada was the site of the 1859 "Comstock Lode," which was the first major silver ore discovery in the United States. Virginia City developed very rapidly following the Comstock Lode discovery as miners rushed in to pursue their fortunes, and Virginia City's population peaked at approximately 25,000 in the mid-1870s which corresponds with when this watch was produced. W. Manning's jewelry business was located in Virginia City at No. 76A South C Street, and Manning advertised in 1878 as having the "largest stock of diamonds and watches, chains and jewelry in the State of Nevada."
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, fine-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, plates with some scattered haze, small spots and short fine scratches, balance cock screw is a non-blued replacement; dial with edge flake near 8:30, short perimeter scratch near 11:30; excellent hands; case shows little wear, an attractive moderate patina with some scattered darker spots, dent to perimeter at 8, lesser dent to upper right perimeter of rear, few mild dings elsewhere, cuvette with profuse mild to moderate abrasions, hidden key with good function; tight bow, key cap shows light wear; thick glass crystal with some scattered fine scratches, short scratches, and tiny edge nicks.
ESTIMATE:
$400
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$800
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