Restoring the case of an 1850s period Scottish tall case clock with an English bell strike is the subject of this blog. This is Part II of a two-part series. Check out Part I here. While the case was made in Scotland, the movement, dial and weights are all from Birmingham, England made at or … More Restoring an 1850s Scottish tall clock case – Part II
This is my first experience with a tall case clock from the 1850s and my first venture into English bell strike movement servicing. Let me explain. Although the case was made in Scotland, the movement, dial and weights are all from Birmingham, England made at or before 1850. The clock was in fair condition when … More Restoring an 1850s Scottish tall clock case – Part I
The disassembly of an antique tall case clock need not be a daunting task. When I bought this clock at auction at the beginning of 2020 I put into practice some of the things I had learned when transporting a Ridgeway grandfather clock in 2013. My advice is to work slowly and methodically but think … More How to disassemble an antique tall case clock
Amid the health crisis ensnaring the world today finding escape is good for the soul. Social distancing, self-isolation, and sheltered-in-place are terms representing new realities. However, we must all use our time at home constructively engaged in meaningful activities and mine is the repair and restoration of old clocks. Horology allows me to drift into … More 7 reasons why a hobby is your oasis for the coming dark days
For the past several years my wife and I have been searching for an authentic antique tall case clock. I finally found one at an estate auction an hour down the road from where I live and seized the opportunity to purchase a clock I knew practically nothing about. In this blog article, I will … More Scottish tall case clock circa 1850s
Although I did not buy any clocks during my trip to the west here are examples of what you might find in some of the better quality antique shops. The three shops these clocks are from are located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Let the photos speak for themselves. captions identify some of the … More Antique clock shopping experience
Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, challenges you face or a clock you would like me to profile and my responses to your questions with advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump … More Tick Talk Tuesday #19 – what is my clock worth?
Need a quick primer on developments and inventions in horology. You have come to the right place. Though by no means a definitive guide the following are some important dates in the history of the clock as gathered through a number of sources. The difficultly in affixing some dates with precision results from discrepancies among … More Perspective on Horological (clock) Development
I have been to Middleton, Nova Scotia many times. I have even passed the Macdonald Consolidated School where the clock museum is located without realizing what treasures lay inside. The clock museum represents a small section of the museum, the remainder of which is dedicated to the history of the area. In the Spring of … More The Macdonald Museum – if you are a clock fan, or even if you are not, this small museum may surprise you
In the early spring, my wife and I travelled to Portugal and Spain. We attended our daughter’s destination wedding in Sintra, Portugal and we decided to expand our stay, visit Spain and see the sights in Barcelona and Montserrat. Spain has always been on our bucket list and it did not disappoint. Being a clock … More Clocks we saw while on a visit to Spain and Portugal
The clock is an instrument designed to keep and indicate time. It is one of the oldest human inventions. The clock has evolved through the ages from sundials in ancient times to early tower clocks of the 14th century and weight driven clocks and finally spring driven clocks from the 1840s to the 1970s. A … More What style of clock do I have?
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 levelling wheels on the bottom of the clock. … More Setting up your modern tall-case (grandfather) clock
Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had and challenges you face and my responses to your questions with advice on your particular clock concern and of course, my general comments. For those comments and questions that stump even me, … More Tick Talk Tuesday #12 – Arthur Pequegnat Nelson hall clock
In 2014 during a visit to Portugal I had a chance to visit one of the country`s premier museums in Lisbon. They had a magnificent collection of antique clocks but this particular clock attracted my attention. This weight driven “Regulador” was made by Burgh, Bernard (II) van Risenburgh in Paris between 1745-50. It is made … More 270 Year Old Clock – A True Work of Art
How did we get the name grandfather clock? Most serious clock collectors and enthusiasts do not use the term grandfather clock when conversing with each other. Firstly, most clock collectors and enthusiasts do not use the term grandfather clock when interacting with each other. I tend to use the word when conversing with family and … More Grandfather clock – why not call it a tall clock, long-case or floor clock?
Is your clock worth fixing? That depends on many factors which I will explore in this article. People acquire vintage and antique clocks for many reasons and in this article I will examine four reasons why your clock might be worth fixing. 1) Sentimental value: The first is a clock with emotional or sentimental value. … More Is my clock worth fixing?
Once a year we travel to central Canada and since I am always on the lookout for clocks when I am on the road, they can show up in the strangest of places. We stopped a a boutique hotel in downtown Quebec City and came across this Snider Starburst clock in the dining area. Many … More Clocks I discovered on my summer travels (2016)
Hugh Gordon, clock-maker worked in Aberdeen, Scotland from 1748-90. He had previously worked in Edinburgh and London. Although a very proficient maker little of his work seems to have survived. This is a friend’s clock and I was asked to research it. Unfortunately, I have discovered very little so far. This time and strike clock … More Hugh Gordon longcase clock
Have you ever stayed at an inn or B&B? If you have you might have noticed those that have some sort of historical significance with furniture dating back a 100 years or more, have the odd antique or vintage clock. However, it frustrates me to no end to see them not running. In the summer of 2014 my wife and … More Inns and B&Bs – why don’t the clocks work?
Every museum I have ever been to has allowed me to walk away with the feeling that I have learned something new. All museums document interesting histories that are intended to educate and inspire visitors. The Canadian Clock Museum at 60 James Street, Deep River, Ontario, operated by curator Allan Symons is one such example. The Canadian Clock … More Why you should visit a clock museum
A Martin Cheney clock is on my wish list though I doubt I will ever see one let alone buy one, they are that rare. So who is this clock-maker from Montreal, Quebec? My wife and I were staying at an historic Inn in downtown Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada) in the spring of 2016. We … More Who the heck is Martin Cheney?
Should every clock collector have a Grandfather (tall case or long case) clock? No, but it was something I had always wanted. In 2012 I was perusing a local for-sale site and came upon this particular Ridgeway grandfather clock. The ad said that the clock was in excellent condition. When I called the seller and asked … More Ridgeway Grandfather Clock
events, fun
A blog on creative possibilities by a writer and musician.
Welcome to an attempt at capturing some of my everyday highlights: small, big, roaming, breathing, flying, floating, absorbing, learning, listening, laughing, crying, gaining, giving, living. Usually published on Sundays, depicting the week or month gone by. Hope you enjoy the words & visuals! Cheers, Camilla
Collecting, repairing and restoring antique and vintage mechanical clocks
Seventeenth- and eighteenth-century English and Irish furniture &c.
See that best, See the Ancient
Largest collection of Bulldog Collectables & Museum Listed
events, fun
A blog on creative possibilities by a writer and musician.
Welcome to an attempt at capturing some of my everyday highlights: small, big, roaming, breathing, flying, floating, absorbing, learning, listening, laughing, crying, gaining, giving, living. Usually published on Sundays, depicting the week or month gone by. Hope you enjoy the words & visuals! Cheers, Camilla
Collecting, repairing and restoring antique and vintage mechanical clocks
Seventeenth- and eighteenth-century English and Irish furniture &c.
See that best, See the Ancient
Largest collection of Bulldog Collectables & Museum Listed
"Cel mai bun lucru la colecţionarea mărcilor poştale este că entuziasmul care apare în tinereţe creşte cu trecerea anilor" (Harry D. Thorsen)
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