Ansonia Mantle Alarm Clock - Fresno |
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Posted 3 years ago
wagsantiques
(1 item)
This clock was inherited by my husband from his parents. Inside was a note from my husband's grandfather (born in 1902) that the clock had been his great grandparents. I have tried researching this by the model name on the label on the back of the clock and cannot find it anywhere. It's a Fresno model (can't find this in any search I have done), is an alarm clock, and needs some tuning. Thanks for any help you can give me.
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It could not have been your husband's great, great, great grandparents. These kitchen mantel clocks were popular in the 1890's-1910's. You almost never find two exactly alike! They are often called gingerbread mantel clocks, too.
I don't believe your has an alarm. But it will strike the hour. One tuning pin is for the clock works, the other is for the strike mechanism. One turns clockwise, the other counter clockwise.
I have one as well, works like a dream to this day! Just take it to a local clock repair shop.
wagsantiques, Cool. :-)
That label on the back has a clue at the top with regard to its age (Prize Medal Awarded Paris Exposition 1878).
Here's some history on the Ansonia Clock Company:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/clocks/ansonia
That information about the "EIGHT DAY FRESNO STRIKE" is interesting, though.
I couldn't find anything on it, so here's hoping expert Bruce99 can enlighten us all. :-)
This is an alarm clock, it has a separate mechanism and a 3rd key to wind it as well as a set disk in the center of the dial. The clock was either his great great grandfathers (passed in 1910) or great great great grandfathers (passed in 1882). I am going on information included in a note inside of the clock when we got it.
Thanks for all the help and information, hopefully someone will find information on this model.
Welcome to Collectors Weekly, Clocks Wagsantiques!
We have no idea about the lifetimes of your husband's ancestors but it's possible that his Great-Grandparents acquired this clock later in life and passed it down.
Your heirloom clock does indeed have the optional separate alarm movement feature. You can see the alarm movement located in the lower left side of the case, along with the alarm setting disk in the center of the dial.
To set the alarm you would move the approximate time you want the alarm to go off under the hour hand. You could also set it by selecting the number of hours you want to pass until the alarm goes off. To me, the easiest method is the first one I mentioned but it's a matter of personal preference.
The alarm wasn't terribly accurate, but could be tweaked.
See this excellent YouTube Video for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y019Bx2Ew8I.
If you would rather read about the alarm feature, see this written tutorial: https://abouttime-clockmaking.com/downloads/Alarms%20of%20American%20Mantel%20Clocks.pdf
The Ansonia "Fresno" is from circa 1895 and is made of Oak. It was one of several similarly styled clocks. The others were named Filbert, Fenwick, Frisbee, Fargo and Fairfax. The Fargo and Fairfax were offered in Black Walnut instead of Oak.
There is an Ansonia "Filbert" currently listed on eBay, but it will eventually fade away in about 90 days or so after the listing ends, so there's no sense in linking to it.
Here's an old Fenwick listing which should be available for some time to come: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/9538023_48-ansonia-oak-fenwick-mantle-clock
Here's a Fargo: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/13255673_106-ansonia-fargo-black-walnut-clock
These clocks don't seem to appear very often on the market. I think it's fair to say that they aren't that common.
These clocks listed for the following prices:
Eight Day Strike $5.00
Strike and Alarm $5.50
Gong Strike $5.40
Gong and Alarm $5.90
Adjusted for inflation those prices would be the equivalent to a range between $162.50 - $191.75. So, the clocks weren't cheap but they weren't too expensive. Many of these Wood Cased aka Kitchen aka Gingerbread clocks keep pretty good time and represented a good value in their day. They were very popular and just about every American Clock manufacturer offered a wide array of models. Many examples, which have been well cared for, have survived in good condition. None of us will look this good on our 126th birthday no matter how well we take care of ourselves. :)
Today, these types of clocks often sell for around $125 give or take $50 depending upon condition and rarity. Sometimes a lot more, sometimes significantly less at auction.
I hope that solves your mystery. If so, please indicate "mystery solved" in your posting.
From your screen name, it appears that you're into antiques. In any case, we hope to see you around. Collectors share a lot of great items in their collections here.
Regards,
Bruce
P.S., I'm not an expert. Just a collector with many references on hand.
Woo hoo! Bruce99 comes through with the answers. :-)
The ancestor who died in 1910 could well have acquired a clock made circa 1895.
It's quite true that generations aren't of a fixed length. I myself am the twelfth generation of one side of my family in the New World over the last four hundred years. How many greats would that be? };-)
Thanks for solving the mystery! Now to find a reputable clock shop to tune it up and get it running properly.
Glad that we could help with your heirloom Ansonia.
As far as finding a good clock shop:
*Word of mouth
*Directory reviews
*Better Business Bureau.
You may find an established, highly regarded shop within this directory:
https://net.nawcc.org/Web/Business_Directory/Web/Directory/Search.aspx
You may also consider contacting a local chapter of the NAWCC to ask for a referral. You can find local chapters here: https://www.nawcc.org/local-chapters/
Or any combination of the above. It's a great idea to have the clock carefully checked over and serviced if necessary. They usually do need some attention whether they've been running or not. Oil becomes contaminated or it evaporates and the movement wears much too fast if the clock is to be used. Like all machines with many moving parts, delayed maintenance usually leads to the need for repair.
Thanks again for sharing.
Let us know if you have any more questions or if we can be of help to you somehow.
Good luck! (Never hurts to have some)
Bruce