Calligraphic signature of Simon Willard, Jr. in black ink on pencil lined paper. Two identical writings of last name “Willard”, one of top of another with the words, “Born January 9th, 1795. Taken December 3, 1870”.

Simon Willard, Jr., was the second son of Simon Willard (1753 - 1848) and his second wife, Mary Bird Willard. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1795. He died in 1874, which allows us to attribute this calligraphy piece to four years before the clockmaker’s passing at the age of seventy-nine.

The signature is framed in a golden wooden frame with a off-white mat, and is about 8” x 8.7”.

This signature might be used for engravings on the face dials, in the workshop for clocks or watches, or accompanying pamphlets such as instructions on how to wind up clocks as well as watch papers.

Ht. 8.7” 96.28