Al Adams writes:

The Smithsonian's David Rittenhouse Tall Case Clock
David Rittenhouse (1732-1796) was eighteenth-century Pennsylvania's most accomplished clock- and instrument-maker. An avid astronomer, he built complicated astronomical clocks and orreries, or planetary models, that not only kept time but predicted celestial events. These major works, coupled with his notable and widely publicized observations of Venus passing between Earth and the Sun in 1769, established him as a scientific leader and secured him an eminent place in the history of American science.

This eight-day clock in a plain walnut case, made about 1770, reminds us, though, that Rittenhouse spent more than twenty years-from about 1750 until the Revolution-making clocks for a living. Largely self-taught, he incorporated standard English features in this timekeeper: the movement has cast brass plates and steel pinions; a seconds pendulum; an anchor escapement; a rack-and-snail striking mechanism; a second hand on the escape wheel arbor; and a calendar. The dial is engraved "David Rittenhouse/Philadelphia."

The lead weights, according to oral tradition, survived the Revolution while most others did not. Probably because they sympathized with the British, the family that owned the clock hid the weights in a well to avoid having them melted down for shot. Ironically, Rittenhouse was one of those responsible for the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety's drive to procure ammunition during the war. His duties included collecting the lead clock weights commonly in use and replacing them with iron ones.

To read the complete article, see:David Rittenhouse Tall Case Clock(americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1063413)

Drexel University's Astronomical Musical Clock
David Rittenhouse (1732-1796), the maker of Drexel University's Astronomical Musical Clock, was Philadelphia's most noted astronomer, mathematician, scientific instrument maker and surveyor during the 18 th century. His clock dates to c. 1773 and has been regarded as the most important clock in America.

The uppermost dial is an orrery that gives the positions of the then-known planets: Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury.

The lunarium in the center dial shows the phase of the moon at the particular time that appears on the clock.

To read the complete article, see:Drexel University's Astronomical Musical Clock,(www.drexel.edu/drexelcollection/decorativearts.asp)

Chippendale Thirty-Hour Walnut Tall Case Clock David Rittenhouse
Chippendale thirty-hour walnut tall case clockDAVID RITTENHOUSE (1732-1796), EAST NORRITONTOWNSHIP OR PHILADELPHIA, circa 1765The hood with stepped cornice and turnedcorner columnettes enclosing a square glazeddoor opening to a brass face with applied castornaments at spandrels, roman and Arabicnumerals, and inscribed, "David Rittenhouse,"above a thumb molded arched door, plain plinth,and molded base.

To read the complete article, see:Chippendale Thirty-Hour Walnut Tall Case Clock David Rittenhouse (Lot 47)(www.freemansauction.com/sale_pdf/1456.pdf)

Al adds:

Dave Bowers writes:

Anne Bentley of the Massachusetts Historical Society writes:

Joel Orosz writes:

Len Augsburger forwarded the query to Bill Bugert, who is a clock maker/repairer. Bill writes:

Anne Bentley adds:

Dan Hamelberg writes: