In the 1950s, brothers Edward and Samual Breslin operated Breslin Industries in Toronto, with a product line that included lamps, lampshades, and 'novelties'. It is assumed that their clocks were included in the novelties catagory.
Shown here are pictures of the clocks (and unusual electric lamps!) currently in this museum's collection of Breslin items as of mid 2023. The most common colour found is copper plating. The horse / horseshoe clocks on a wooden or metal base are similar to the models made at the same time in Toronto by Harry Snider. There is a small, easy to miss, difference in the design between the Breslin and Snider molded metal horseshoes.
I suspect that the horse and cowboy theme is related to the many 'cowboys and Indians' programs on black & white television in the 1950s.
There were at least two different designs for the paper dial on the Breslin windup clocks. One has a vertical brown wood grain, and a second has a circular foil centre. 8 DAY on the dials indicates that the spring-driven, balance-wheel clock movements (apparently supplied by Ingraham Canadian in Toronto, based on the key shape) would be wound up once a week via the built-in key on the back. There is evidence that electric motor clocks were also available.
I assume that the cowboy on his horse beside the clock in the horseshoe is a Breslin model, because the unmarked woodgrain paper dial has the same design, numbers and font as the named woodgrain dial.
The elecrtric LAMP designs are certainly unusual. A horse, an elephant family, curling equipment! A combination electric lamp with a windup clock in the metal horseshoe.
Note the closed-top, copper-plated metal lamp shades that were held on the light bulb by spring clip. At least two different styles were available. The BRESLIN INDUSTRIES label for lamps is usually found on the outside of the cylindrical part where the light bulb is screwed in.
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