I found this picture in an auction listing. As I read it it appeared that Deuber felt that the other case makers were out to do them harm. What do others think?

Joe

Well, if you read the history of Dueber-Hampden, they were.

Regards! Mark

Some of the Hampden models will not fit properly into a case with a dustband. As old JOhn said on the paper, it might bind up the mainspring barrel. He wasn't paranoid. He was properly warning jewelers.

Tom

Hi Tom,

I got the paranoia from the sentence that read "It was the intention of the manufacturers of these so-called improved cases that they should not fit Hampden Watches".
This was clearly a warning to the jewelers but it was not exactly a pat on the back for the competion.

Joe

Hampden definitely felt put-upon by the "watch trust", and their paranoia had merit. This gilt illustration from the back cover of a 1900 Hampden material catalog show how they felt about Elgin.

They really didn't like Elgin, did they?

I remember a like ad shown in Kent and Ed's Railroad Corner article in the Bulletin about the Hampden Special Railway models. In that ad it had a passenger conductor holding his Hampden watch in one hand, and holding Father Time by the beard with his other. No doubt who it was taking a stab at, as it was a dead ringer to the Elgin ad 'Father time' character.

Regards! Mark