Antique 19th Century Watch Paper Leitch Watch Maker Pressed Brass Frame

A wonderful little Circa 1790 to 1800 watch paper enclosed in a matching Georgian pressed brass frame. This is a delightful combination of dinky proportions. Watch papers are very collectible.

We see an original worn and used printed watch paper advertising 'Leitch Watch Maker, Sea Quadrants, Compasses Carefully Repaired & Adjusted. Jewellery Goods'. The iconography is superb and spot on for the period with Old Father Time or Kronos leant against the plinth which has a bracket clock on top. At his feet his Scythe and hourglass. In the distance sailing ships as his business is Sea Quadrants, Compasses and careful adjustment of them.

Such small discs of decorative paper were inserted into watch cases to protect the delicate mechanisms from dust and debris. These papers often included advertisements for the watch maker or jeweler, a sort of trade card. The paper's reverse was frequently used over the life of the watch to record its repair, dates of oiling, spring replacement and cleaning etc.

We have found in the Apprentices Indentures Register 17/02/1783 a Daniel Leitch apprenticed to Master David Wylie of Greenock, Watchmaker. In the 1825 to 1826 Post Office directory at Chapel St, Kinkardine Leitch listed as a Clock and Watchmaker. The iconography of the paper relates more to the earlier 1790 to 1800 period.

Please see the British Museum's collection of Watch Papers and also The Winterthur Library's Collection of Watch Papers.

Size: Frame 2 3/4 inch diameter (7 cm). Watch paper approx 1 3/4 inch diameter (45 mm)

Condition: This original 200 year old watch paper shows its age with two old insect holes to the paper and rusting above Time's head. General age darkening/wear to the paper. Vertical slits around the perimeter as normal where cut to neatly and flatly fit inside pocket watch. The frames wooden backing frame structure has 3 old filled holes. The glass has been historically replaced with perspex to keep the weight low, this perspex is old and has yellowed with age. We have shown watch paper out of the frame.

ITEM ID:13037