A French Provincial Mahogany Tall Case Clock (Regulateur)

The Case Probably 18th Century

The works possibly associated; the enameled face with radial Roman chapters and inscribed 'Isnard / à Barême'.

Height 94 x width 17 3/8 x depth 10 1/2 inches, overall.

From the Collection of Nelson R. DeMille

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Size
Height 94 x width 17 3/8 x depth 10 1/2 inches, overall.

Condition
The case overall with age and construction cracks as expected. Scattered nicks, chips, abrasions and losses. The crown of the arched cornice to the hood replaced. The case overall with sun fading. The brass dial surround with spots of oxidation and verdigris, also with scattered dents and bends to the surface. The dial with some warping and spidering to the enamel; the numbers and inscription later re-touched. The movement rusted and not functioning. The works probably also associated. Sturdy and attractive. Dimensions of the body:Height 73 3/4 x width 16 1/2 x depth 10 1/8 inches.Dimensions of the hood:Height 20 1/4 x width 17 3/8 x depth 10 1/2 inches.

Provenance
Freeman’s is honored to present the private collection of the celebrated novelist Nelson R. DeMille. A proud Long Island resident and U.S. Army veteran, DeMille’s first major novel, By the Rivers of Babylon, was published in 1978 and over the following decades, he authored more than thirty novels and short stories. His celebrated John Corey series, launched with Plum Island in 1997, became a mainstay of modern thriller fiction, while The General’s Daughter achieved additional acclaim through its major film adaptation starring John Travolta.Warm, incisive, and unfailingly generous with his time, DeMille was an active and beloved presence within the Authors Guild community for more than forty years and served as president of the Mystery Writers of America. An advocate to all, his passing marked the loss of not only a master storyteller, but a tireless mentor and champion of writers’ and their rights.The collection presented here reflects the discernment, curiosity, and richly lived life of a man whose stories defined a genre. We are pleased to offer collectors this unique opportunity to acquire works from the personal world of Nelson R. DeMille—objects that accompanied one of America’s great literary voices throughout a remarkable career.We invite you to explore these pieces—not merely as objects of provenance, but as elements of a distinctive story: the life and legacy of Nelson R. DeMille.