An advertising dial clock has a dial that advertises a product or a company. Some were made by the clock company itself under special order, others were modified from stock clocks by an outside party. Some were made up much later and are fakes.
The clock shown below is a Western Clock Mfg. Company 4" alarm clock made ca. 1895 - 96.
Above: the back, showing the wording "PATENTED SEPT. 22. 1885" in two straight lines.
Clock illustrated courtesy of Gary Biolchini.
This clock is earlier than the one below because the patent text on the back is arranged in a straight line. Since the Nine O'Clock Washing Tea clock was made ca. 1895 - 1896, this possibly dates the transition from straight to curved lettering of the patent text to these years.
The legs may not be original.
Clock illustrated courtesy of Howard Banta and Phil Haltigan.
In a history written by Westclox, the entry for 1895 - 1896 includes:
"WESTERN CLOCK COMPANY RECEIVED LARGEST CLOCK ORDER TO DATE. . . 50,000 units.
Clock order was received from Mr. Williams, manufacturer of "Nine O'Clock" washing powder....
The letters - NINE O'CLOCK TEA - used on the dial instead of numbers, signifying advertising of washing powder designed to have clothes washed and on the line in time for house-wives to have their tea at 9 A.M.
To meet schedule, the entire force worked until 9 P.M. daily."
Below: Letter and Envelope From W. M. Williams, Manufacturer of Nine O'clock Washing Tea, Dated April 24, 1900
