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Potts 996559 Important mid 19th century English Oak Wall Clock built on behalf of Baron Grimthorpe Creator of "Big Ben" This magnificent wall clock is the product of two great names in English history, Edmund Beckett and William Potts. Edmund Beckett, 1st Baron Grimthorpe, Q.C. (1816-1905), amateur architect, church restorer, horologist and creator of Big Ben. A member of the eminent Beckett banking family, he created this wall clock for the Leeds branch of BeckettÂ's Bank in 1867. The bank was on the corner of Greek Street and Park Row. William Potts made the superb, maintaining power regulator movement with a deadbeat escapement, a very light driving weight and a heavy pendulum bob on a non expansion wooden stick. Accuracy was most important in Banking circles in those days, would that it were still true today! Potts started clock making in Pudsey West Yorkshire in 1833, moving to Leeds in 1862. The Potts are still in the clock business and this large English wall clock with a regulator movement will be featured in a book being written by Michael S. Potts, William Potts was his Great Great Grandfather! Part of British history, this clock has been in storage for many years. Beckett & Co were taken over more than once, becoming London County Westminster & Parrs Bank, in 1923 the name was changed to Westminster Bank Ltd. The building was demolished in the early 1960Â's. We cannot find any trace of the wall clock after 1923. The Royal Bank of Scotland took over the assets of what became known as the National Westminster Bank and so Baron Grimthorpes and Potts joint masterpiece was hauled out of storage and put back into storage in a different place! Indifferent to history and time the new owners put the clock up for sale, we determined that it should be restored to its former glory . So here it is a unique monument to Victorian engineering, cabinet making and design, Whilst not detracting from the design and construction of this formidable piece, it is of interest to note that Alice Keppel, nee Alice Edmonstone, (Great Grandmother of Camilla Parker Bowles) who married The Honourable George Keppel son of the Earl of Albemarle in 1891 chose Baron Grimthorpe to father her 1st child Violet, who later caused a huge scandal by running away with Vita Sackville West. We feel that this clock represents a piece of Social history, clock making history and a remarkable example of Victorian Art and Industry. We at Daniels Antiques are very proud to be the first private owners of this Great piece of British history. Click for Price @ GoAntiques.com