William Travis is listed in Brian Loome's Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, working from 1828-1860. He is well documented in Clockmakers & Watchmakers of Central England by Joseph McKenna. He was born in 1781, and apprenticed to Joseph Wild of Macclesfield, Cheshire in 1795-1802. He worked from 19 Market Place, Leek 1802-72 and 24 Rose Bank Street, Leek 1863-71, was in business for 75 years, dying in 1875 aged 95. From 1868-71 he traded as William Travis & Son, for many years making one movement a week, no matter what the demand or how busy with repairs. His son Samuel worked from 1846-80 making 298 movements and provided information on clock making for Miller's Olde Leek. The 14" arched painted dial features tumbling Arabic numerals, calendar mouth, subsidiary seconds dial and original brass hands. The unusual and well executed dial decoration includes swans in a lakeland setting to the arch, together with oriental scenes to the spandrels depicting a tea ceremony. The eight day plated movement, with knopped & turned pillars, has a rack strike sounding the hours on a bell. The dial is mounted on a cast iron false plate stamped by the manufacturer Wilkes & Son (1821-30). According to their company records of circa 1820, the price of this type of dial was 16 shillings. The nicely proportioned oak and mahogany case is typical of the style and quality produced by the Uttoxeter case makers of the time. Mc Kenna writes ~ "further confirmation is that Samuel & WilliamTravis of Leek stated that they obtained their clock cases from Uttoxeter, and their brass clock castings from Ashbourne." The swan neck pediment, shaped door top, fluted quadrant corner columns and applied panel to the base all add to the visual appeal. Standing just 84" tall, a very easy clock to accommodate in all respects. Local delivery, setting up and 12 months guarantee on the clock movement included in the price of SOLD

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