I've received numerous e-mail inquires lately about Moorhouse dials, so I thought I would post a few and describe the various features to help spot a true Joshia Moorhouse dial on a Howard. Joshia was the dial room foreman from about 1884 to about 1894 at the Howard factory and it has been estimated he signed about 400-500 of his dials. It seems that 99% of the dials exhibit what I call the "Mulberry" design at the 15 minute marks as shown in the example, also very extravagant flourishes on the E. Howard & Co. logo is another good clue. The dials also tend to be more elaborate than the formal standard E. Howard dial.

But of course there are always exceptions, this Moorhouse dial is rather plain but the "Mulberry" design at the 15 minute marks and the different "Gothic" style logo are the clues on this dial.

Here is the J. Moorhouse signature, it is baked in to the enamel, making it impossible to fake by adding it later. This signed dial is from a Gsz transition, hence the absence of a second sector. Moorhouse dials are found on Gsz,Lsz, Nsz and the Jsz. Howards.

Some dials show all the Moorhouse characteristics but are not signed, this is one of those. The jury is still out on whether or not unsigned dials like this example are true Moorhouse dials or not, even though it has all the usual clues. The very fine detail does not seem to be there. I would you caution before paying top dollar for dials like this unsigned one. It is definitely a desirable dial though. Hope this answers some of the questions.

Harold, these are just great.

You are an amazing storehouse of information. The Moorhouse touch is unique. Many of us who could never even hope to hold such a watch in our hand let alone own one are so very grateful to you! Others of us now have a goal in mind and are likewise indebted to you.

Thanks for the great information, and please keep it coming my friend!

Warm Regards,

Lindell

here is the front of the signed dial back posted above, Sometimes you have to look close to see a Moorhouse but the clues are always there.

Lindell, glad you like them, with the easy way to post the pics now, it's no chore at all. Hope everybody enjoys the pics and short tutorial.
Harold

Harold,

Thanks for the continuing education! You keep this up and you'll have me collecting Howards myself.

David

Harold,
What a marvelous tutorial! Thanks for the great scans and the detailed explainations of these beautiful Moorhouse dials.

Ed Ueberall
NAWCC #49688
IHC #34
http://members.aol.com/stdwatch/

These are great images. Nice and clear with fine details.
Thanks for the clues on how to spot a Moorehouse dial. I didn't know it was that simple.

Don

Great dials and explanation Harold. Many thanks for posting them. I am fortunate enough to have found a J size early Howard with a "Moorhousish" dial. While it's not signed, it does have the flourishes at the quarters and very nice serpentine numerals. Thanks again.
B

Thank you Howard for taking the time to share and educate!

Here is a dial that has all of the "Mulberry" designs at the 15 minute markers and the distinctive lettering. Not signed on the back, but I think this dial qualifies as a Moorhouse dial What do you guys think?

Phil Dellinger
NAWCC# 157070
IHC Member #140

I think I love them all! Thanks Howard,very nice presentation.

Sam Williamson
NAWCC 154312
IHC Charter Member 14
Member Chapters 96 and 185

Phil, is that one of the Hampden 18sz versions? I know of only three or so of those Moorhouse style Hampden dials. Whether it is a genuine Moorhouse, I guess it would depend on if you're buying or selling it!
Harold

quote:

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Originally posted by Harold Visser:
Phil, is that one of the Hampden 18sz versions? I know of only three or so of those Moorhouse style Hampden dials. Whether it is a genuine Moorhouse, I guess it would depend on if you're buying or selling it!
Harold

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Harold,
Yes this dial is on a Hampden Watch Co 18 Size KW HC movement in a coin silver hunter case.
Thanks for the information on these dials.

Phil Dellinger
NAWCC# 157070
IHC Member #140

This is a wonderful thread. Mr. Dellinger's Moorhouse-style Ball Hampden dial is a particularly nice example of the type. I showed another Ball Hampden dial with strong Moorhouse influences in my August, 1993 BULLETIN article on Howard watch dials. I speculated there that Moorhouse might conceivably have free-lanced for Hampden in his spare time. The plausibility of this idea is supported by the existence of a spectacular Waltham Model 1883 dial, also shown in the article, that is signed by Moorhouse on the reverse, along with both the date of its creation and the time of day - "7:30 PM." The time of day may have been added in order to document that the work was done on Moorhouse's own time, rather than his employer's.

Another obvious possibility is that someone at Hampden copied Moorhouse's style. If we could ever find a Moorhouse-style Ball Hampden dial with Moorhouse's signature on the reverse, this would settle the question.

Readers interested in learning more about Moorhouse's career and how to spot his work - as not all of it is as obvious as some of the dials that my friend and research collaborator Harold Visser shows above - might also wish to look at the 8/93 Bulletin article. (Harold was probably too modest to mention just how rare Gothic signatures are on Howard dials. In 20 years of collecting, I have seen exactly two.)

Cheers.

Clint Geller

Found an auction with a rare "G" size E Howard hunter case 18K pocket watch, it also has a very great example of a personalized Moorhouse dial. Someone is the proud new owner of this great timepiece.

Another from the auction...

Wow Brian, Yes you are right, that is an E. Howard scale but older than you thought.That scale was made by Stephenson, Davis, and Howard who were partners starting around 1843 or early 1844 in Hingham, Mass. I believe, but am not positive, it was called the " Dearborn Patent Balance Scale" In 1847 Stepenson withdrew from the firm, so your scale falls between those few years! That is a rare beautiful historical piece,how long have you owned it?
Harold, who missed out today!

A wonderful scale. Thanks for posting it. I owned a cute and very rare little micrometer engraved "E. Howard & Co." once, but my friend George Collord - who salivates over tools like most of us do over watches - talked me out of it. Its in a good home, anyway. My condolences to Harold on the auction. He can console himself somewhat by considering how much his other MH dials are apparently worth now.

Clint Geller