Posted 6 years ago
Skinni39
(1 item)
I received this clock from my mother. It has newsprint inside. It has a key for winding and a pendulum. I believe it is from 1880. It is 18 inches high. Can anyone tell me anything more?
My great grandmother's clock | ||
| Johnsmith's loves612 of 1825 |  |  |
Hello Skinni39. Welcome to Collectors Weekly!
In order to help identify your clock, please provide the following:
Any and all information printed, stamped or labeled on the dial, movement, case, pendulum and key. This includes names, trademarks, serial/model/patent numbers and dates.
Do you know how often does it need to be re-wound?
Measurements of the dial and case. Please take measurements at the longest, widest, and deepest points only.
Well lit photos. In addition to the entire case you've already provided, add close-ups of the dial, movement and any distinctive decorative feature(s) or labels. I believe you can add up to four photos to your write up.
This information will be very helpful, but it still may not lead to a definitive model or date.
Thanks for sharing your heirloom with the CW Community.
Bruce
The dimensions are 18" high-10" wide 4" deep. It only needs wound once a month, It has newsprint inside that is very worn but I believe it says Clocks Thirty days and Eight (something) Pieces. The key is a standard brass key with a hole for winding. Nothing to identify it. The top half has Roman Numerals but nothing that Identifies it. I believe it's all on that newsprint which I do not have access to. The bottom glass has a gold horse. I have added some close ups. Thanks for any help.
Hi Skinni, Thanks for providing the additional information. It's kind of maddening...like seeing pieces of a puzzle but not enough to see the whole picture. This is a common wood case style which was produced by almost all of the major American Clock manufacturers. My guess is that the label refers to 30 hour and 8 day movements but I could be wrong.
Generally, it looks like an early Ingraham or Welch to me but there were many lesser known American Clock Companies in the late 1800's.
Would it be possible for you to carefully unscrew the cup bell for a sneak peek of the hidden part of the label underneath?
Thanks again!
Bruce
Hi Bruce. I took the clock to a restorer. He replaced some bearings and cleaned it. He said it is around 1870-1875. He also told me some history. He said it is called a double dial. It goes off on the hour and on the 1/2. He said it has an alarm on it. Back in the day they didn't have alarm clocks like we do now. In the center is a dial in hourly increments. Inside the clock on the left is a set of gears. He showed me that winding these gears will make the alarm go off at the designated time frame. He said what they would do is wind the alarm and put it in a window. When they are out on the farm, doing their chores the alarm would go off and it could be heard all over the farm. I found this really interesting. I also believe this clock was from my Uncle Henry Clay. He was a US senator and a member of the Masons. He was known as "The Peacemaker" in Congress. He owned an estate in Asheville, KY.