Posted 8 years ago
ArteetMarte
(1 item)
Hi there,
Just wondering if any of you folks out there are able to date these two American clocks which belonged to my late father.
The tall one was made in New Haven and is 22.5 inches tall, 14 inches wide and 5.25 inches deep.
The small clock was made by Seth Thomas and is 9.25 inches tall, 7.5 inches wide and 3.5 inches deep - no markings on case.
Not sure why these two clocks ended their journey in rural Dorset, although distant relations did emigrate to the States.
Many thanks,
Bob
Hi Bob. Welcome to Collectors Weekly. You've got a couple of nice examples of Antique American Clocks here. The New Haven was from their "Mercury" Line. There were three distinct models in this line. Yours is "C" from circa 1907. These clocks originally listed for somewhere around $5.00. The models A, B and C were similar in profile with rounded tops and bases with "feet". I haven't been able to find examples online but the "Mercury" model name takes Search Engines off track. These kinds of clocks were sometimes referred to as "Gingerbread" or "Kitchen" clocks. Technically, they are Wood Cased Mantel Clocks. Your example has an optional Alarm feature (clock listed for $5.30).
I'll get back to you on your Seth Thomas if I can find it in my reference material.
Hello again Bob. Your Seth Thomas is a bit older. It is a Cottage Clock named the Octagon Top "C" from circa 1865-1880. Your label states "Thomaston Connecticut". The earliest examples of Octagon Top C (1860) had labels naming "Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut". Seth Thomas died in 1859 and Plymouth Hallow was renamed as Thomaston in his honor in 1865. I think your clock has their C-Type movement. It's a 30 hour time and alarm movement (with no strike).
The New Haven is an 8-day Time and Strike movement.
Hope this helps solve your mystery. If so, please indicate "Mystery Solved" in your listing. If not and you have additional questions, please ask away.
Thanks for sharing your family heirlooms with us.