The Day I Found an Ingraham Huron Balloon Clock—and the Story That Came With It

Some time ago, I came across an ad on Facebook Marketplace for a clock owned by an older couple who lived about forty-five minutes from our home on the East Coast. When I first saw the photo, something about the clock caught my eye—it had character, a quiet dignity, and I had a feeling it … More The Day I Found an Ingraham Huron Balloon Clock—and the Story That Came With It

The Stories Behind My Antique and Vintage Clocks

I often wonder about the stories behind my clocks. Antique and vintage clocks evoke a time when life seemed simpler, a stark contrast to today’s frenetic pace. Old clocks serve as living memories, cherished relics of people and places that are long gone but not forgotten. Ideally, they should be passed down through generations. Yet, … More The Stories Behind My Antique and Vintage Clocks

Clock auctions – Ron’s rules for bidding

The psychology of auctions, now that would be a fascinating study. How bidders behave, the frenzy of bidding wars often called “auction fever“, and the emotions wrapped into the pursuit of that one item everybody seems to want would be very enlightening. Auctions are fantastic places to find great deals. I have found many clocks … More Clock auctions – Ron’s rules for bidding

The case may be a lost cause but I can save the movement

The case might be a lost cause but I can certainly save the movement of this Ingraham Ocean series gingerbread clock. The clock came to me in fair condition but it was missing a key element, the glass tablet and for that reason, I am not inclined to source a replacement, the clock is just … More The case may be a lost cause but I can save the movement

Dating an Antique or Vintage Clock – Part II

Honestly, an entire book could be devoted to the topic of dating clocks. Some time ago, I published an article titled “How to Date an Antique or Vintage Clock – Part I,” in which I used specific examples from my own collection. I’d like to explore this topic further, and this post will discuss additional … More Dating an Antique or Vintage Clock – Part II

Best clock acquisition of 2021

The time has come to determine the best clock acquisition of the past year. As a clock hobbyist, I have had little difficulty locating interesting clocks over the years, and despite the seemingly never-ending pandemic, I have scored a few in 2021 though the past year has been leaner than most. In the early days … More Best clock acquisition of 2021

The Snider Clock Company of Canada

Canadian clock collectors familiar with companies such as Arthur Pequegnat, the Canada Clock Company, the Hamilton Clock Company, Forestville, and Fleet seldom consider the Snider Clock company clocks for their collections yet for a quarter of a century this home-grown Canadian company made mantel and wall clocks designed and manufactured in Toronto, Ontario. Harry Snider … More The Snider Clock Company of Canada

Ten active clock companies in Canada during the 1950s

Canadian clock collectors are most familiar with the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company that closed its doors in 1941 but 7 years later a number of clock companies were alive and flourishing in Canada, predominantly in areas in and around Toronto. It is difficult to imagine that seventy years ago there were ten active clock companies … More Ten active clock companies in Canada during the 1950s

If clocks could tock – the stories they could tell

I wish I knew the stories of all of my clocks. Antique and vintage clocks evoke a time when life was simpler than the hectic times we live in today. Those nostalgic times when the things we bought and cherished were living memories of people and places that are gone but not forgotten. Antique clocks … More If clocks could tock – the stories they could tell

2017 – Time to reflect, a year in summary

I am a retired educator living in Nova Scotia Canada. I collect vintage and antique clocks that I repair and maintain. I also write about horological areas of interest, interesting clocks and clock stories when I search for new acquisitions. As most bloggers know the key to building a successful blog is not only attracting new … More 2017 – Time to reflect, a year in summary

Low antique clock prices – are they here to stay

There is a peculiar phenomena happening in the clock world today and that is tumbling clock prices. French cartelle clocks, American jewelers regulators, original E. Howard and Willard banjo clocks to name a few have retained their value but clocks that would have sold for hundreds of dollars a few short years ago can be … More Low antique clock prices – are they here to stay

Tick-Talk Tuesday #6 – comments on online purchases

Tick-Talk Tuesday is all about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clocks, issues you might have had and challenges you face and my responses to your questions with advice on your  particular clock concern(s). If I am stumped, I consult within my clock circles for the best possible … More Tick-Talk Tuesday #6 – comments on online purchases

Clock repair in days gone by

I had a discussion with David, a horologist acquaintance who is currently working on my 138 year old Ingraham Huron mantel clock (pictured above) about clock repairs in days gone by. He said he had happened to have a conversation a few days ago with an 82 year friend who had been in the clock repair … More Clock repair in days gone by

Ingraham Huron – off to the shop for restoration!

I have related the story of this most interesting Ingraham Huron mantel clock in an earlier blog which you can read about here. I purchased it at what I believe was a reasonable price from an older couple near Bridgewater, Nova Scotia who were in the midst of downsizing. It had been in their family … More Ingraham Huron – off to the shop for restoration!

What is my clock worth?

Every clock owner wants to know what their clock is worth and every clock seller wants to know what price they can ask for. This article will provide a guide to buying or selling an antique or vintage clock. I will attempt to answer the following questions beginning with comments about the unpredictable clock market. … More What is my clock worth?

The shelf clock – what is it, exactly?

What is a shelf clock? If you have a number of clocks as I do it can be quite confusing to describe each specific type to the average person but it is really quite simple. Let me explain how you can identify the clock you might be looking at. The term shelf clock is a broad category but I believe it can be … More The shelf clock – what is it, exactly?

Ingraham Huron – the secret within – Part III

Restoring the case was relatively simple. After a thorough cleaning to lift the accumulated grime, a wax overcoat, touch-ups in discrete areas with yellow shellac, the case is very presentable for a 138 year old clock. I cleaned up the brass bezel but left the paper dial untouched. The hands are original and left those … More Ingraham Huron – the secret within – Part III

Ingraham Huron shelf clock- Part II

In my last post I profiled my latest acquisition (April 2016), a Ingraham Huron shelf clock, and now we will look at the movement, the case in more detail and other aspects of this fine clock.   What makes this clock special is the case. The movement, a time and strike, was found in thousands of … More Ingraham Huron shelf clock- Part II

A rare clock – the Ingraham Huron – Part I

My most recent acquisition (April 2016) is an Ingraham Huron shelf clock. The Huron is one of the less commonly found Ingraham models, having been manufactured briefly between 1878-80. The clock you see here is Rosewood Veneer “Huron” Shelf Clock, by E. Ingraham & Co., Bristol, Connecticut. It has paper on a zinc dial with a round glazed door … More A rare clock – the Ingraham Huron – Part I