I am not a huge collector of steeple clocks but I was intrigued by one I found in an old barn. I bought 4 clocks as part of a barn find this past winter (2018). Two including this one are salvageable. The two others are for case and works parts only. $5 for a clock … More Elisha Manross Steeple Clock – addressing spire issues and other things
This Daniel Pratt Jr. reverse Ogee shelf clock was made in Reading, Massachusetts, c. 1832-38. It has a splat-top mahogany case with half (?) reverse Ogee moldings flanking the door, painted wooden Roman numeral dial and mirrored lower tablet. The label inside states in part. Clocks manufactured and warranted by Daniel Pratt Jr. Reading Mass, … More Daniel Pratt Jr. reverse ogee and splat clock with mirrored tablet
Clocks historically have numbers on the dial to help people accurately tell time and organize their daily activities. Early mechanical clocks were developed to standardize timekeeping. Adding numbers made it easier for people to read and interpret the time at a glance, particularly as public clocks were placed in town squares and churches for communal … More IIII or IV on a clock dial face? Why the difference
I bought four clocks at an estate auction several weeks ago, this and three other Ogee clocks plus a parlour clock. This clock is no less interesting than the others but I was lucky enough to research its maker and date it fairly accurately. I wish I knew its provenance but nevertheless it is an … More Chauncey Jerome 30 hour ogee – servicing a #1.314 time and strike movement
This is a fine example of a Seth Thomas column and cornice clock with sleigh front made prior to 1867 and sold by the R.W. Paterson Company of Canada West. Both the lower and upper tablets appear to be original and are in very good condition. Unfortunately this antique American column and cornice time and … More Addressing an upper tablet replacement on a Seth Thomas column and cornice clock
I acquired four old clocks in a barn find. Two, a 30 hour Ogee and a mantel clock were totally unsalvageable although I managed to take off some veneer, case parts, a movement, boards, case hardware and a few other items. Two others were worth a second look. One is an Elisha Manross 30 hour … More The challenges of restoring an Ansonia Drop Extra wall clock when the clock is rare and parts are hard to come by
I acquired four old clocks in a barn find. Two, a 30 hour ogee and a mantel clock were salvageable only that I was able to take veneer, case parts, one movement and a few pieces. The two other clocks are worth preserving. Though it is missing some case parts one of them is an … More Elisha Manross Steeple Clock – the early days of the American clock
I bought four wonderful clocks at an estate auction several weeks ago, this and three other Ogee clocks plus a parlour clock. This clock is no less interesting than the other three but I was lucky enough to research its maker and date the manufacture to within a year or two. Noble Jerome’s invention showed … More Chauncey Jerome 30 hour Ogee – a 156 year old American clock that is a tribute to the man himself
This is Part III and the final part of a three part series on my first venture into veneer repair on an antique clock. Prior to beginning this project I spent many hours researching veneer repair, watching YouTube videos and seeking advice from my knowledgeable colleagues at NAWCC. A recent acquisition, this is an 8-day … More The art of veneering – Part III – staining and finishing
This is Part II of a three part series on my first venture into veneer repair on an antique clock. Prior to beginning this project I spent many hours researching veneer repair, watching YouTube videos and seeking advice from my knowledgeable colleagues at NAWCC. This is an 8-day Seth Thomas column and cornice time and … More The art of veneering – Part II – veneer work
This is Part I of a three part series on my first venture with veneer repair on an antique clock. Prior to beginning this project I spent many hours researching veneer repair, watching YouTube videos and seeking advice from my knowledgeable colleagues at NAWCC. Repairing veneer on a clock case is inevitable. As much as … More The art of veneering – Part I – general assessment and the work to be done
Clocks have been more than just timekeepers throughout history; they are reflections of art, culture, and technological innovation. Whether for practical use or decorative appeal, clock styles have evolved to match the tastes, craftsmanship, and technologies of their times. Here’s a look at some of the most iconic and varied clock styles. The clock is … More What style of clock do I have?
This spring driven 30 hour New Haven Ogee clock is a loud ticker and rapid striker so distinctive that I can hear the ticking outside the room it is in like a mischievous puppy who wants to remind you where it is. Judging from other New Haven clocks I have researched from this period, 1875 … More New Haven Ogee clock – attractive but not without issues
This 30 hour Ogee clock was purchased in the fall of 2017. I was eager to add this clock to my collection as it is the one particular style of clock that I do not have. From my research on Waterbury clocks I determined that it was made in or around 1870. I decided to … More Waterbury 30 hour Ogee clock – servicing Part II
You can still buy a brand new Westclox today and few people realize that the company was a pioneer alarm clock manufacturer. This is a nondescript Baby Ben clock; thousands were sold but unlike older alarm clocks made in the USA and made and/or assembled at the Peterborough plant in Ontario (Canada), this one was … More Westclox alarm clock – made in China….sigh!
You’ve decided on a new location for your grandfather clock. Now it is time to set it up. Before you do anything ensure that the clock is level and preferably on a hard surface. Wood floors are great but carpeted floors are not optimal. There are 4 leveling wheels or points on the bottom of … More Setting up your modern tall-case (grandfather) clock
My hope was that it would be a relatively straight forward exercise This is Part 1 of servicing this 30 hour Waterbury time and strike movement. I honestly thought it would be relatively straight forward exercise. Dis-assemble, clean the parts, polish the pivots, do a little bushing work and voila! Not so. I have worked … More Waterbury 30 hour Ogee clock – servicing Part I
Having moved modern grandfather clocks these are some useful some tips when transporting your clock. If you are unsure, a professional will certainly perform the service but consider the cost before you decide since you will pay travel time plus disassembly/set-up time, shop supplies and tax. A call to a professional is unnecessary if you … More Transporting your modern tall-case clock – a how to
Why are these clocks so cheap? Discounting the wild prices some seem to be asking on online for-sale sites, a good example can be had for almost nothing. Why? Allow me to explain. This 30 hour time and strike Waterbury Ogee clock was discovered at an antique store an hour’s drive away. The store has … More Waterbury Ogee (OG) 30 hour weight driven clock and why they are so undervalued
Clock collecting and repair allows me to combine my other hobby, photography with the world of horology. I have seen so many poor photos of clocks that I thought I would cover one small aspect of photography, macro photography. The following is a generalist approach to macro photography that is intended to allow the hobbyist … More Using a macro lens to photograph your clock
In a previous article I described some of the challenges I had with this E.N. Welch clock movement. The clock ran for about 48 hours and suddenly stopped. It seems that every time I think everything is going well, something else crops up. I dis-assembled the movement (again) and installed three more bushings, one of … More E. N. Welch Whittier model parlor clock Part IV – final word
The Westclox Clock Company is better known for various versions of Big Ben and Baby Ben windup alarm clocks produced from 1900 to the mid 1980s. But there were other windup models one of which is the Art Deco styled LaSalle series. This is the model 61-C (401) otherwise known as a Dura clock because … More Westclox alarm clock – non luminous LaSalle
This is perhaps the dirtiest movement I have ever worked on This is perhaps the dirtiest movement I have ever worked on. The case, tablet and dial face are in beautiful condition and nicely preserved requiring little or no work at all to restore to its former glory but the movement is another story. A … More E. N. Welch Whittier model parlor clock Part III – more issues than anticipated
The Whittier Model This is the Whittier model from Welch’s Authors series. Tran’s 2d ed. shows it from the 1893 catalogue. It is a half-hour strike clock. Though an alarm could be ordered this clock came without one. It is solid walnut in construction, deep brown in colour and darkened by age. It stands 22 … More E. N. Welch Whittier model parlor clock Part II – a description
Among the most common parlor clocks, E.N. Welch clocks are relatively scarce. A key reason is that the company was absorbed by Sessions in 1903. The history of Welch is intriguing, as Welch, Spring & Co. initially focused on producing high-end clocks but eventually shifted to manufacturing cheaper, heavily discounted mass-market clocks—a move that likely … More E. N. Welch Whittier model parlor clock Part I – E. N. Welch history
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
You must be logged in to post a comment.