Seth Thomas Mantle Clock | ||
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Posted 13 years ago
aycockonxion
(124 items)
This is a beautiful condition, perfectly working vintage Seth Thomas mantle clock. I could only find one other example of this particular style, but I haven't been able to figure out it's age or much else. Seems like most of these mantle clocks are the bell design style, unlike this one.
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Hi,
This looks like a Seth Thomas Chime Clock named the "Southbury" ca 1941. Seth Thomas made this model with a movement powered by three mainsprings (2W) and with an electric motor (2E) which is what you have. In my experience, the 2E is harder to find since the electric motor had enough torque to do a great deal of damage to the movement if it wasn't given regular maintenance. The electric motors also generated heat which tended to cause oil to evaporate/dry out. The mainspring driven movement would simply stop running if maintenance became long overdue which saved them from being run into the ground. The case style is called "Art Deco" and I think it has very nice acoustics. To have one in good working order is pretty neat. Don't neglect to have give it periodic maintenance. Just like any mechanical device with a lot of moving parts it needs to be cleaned and oiled regularly if you're going to keep it running.
Regards
Thank you scandinavian_pieces!
Bruce, thank you for the information. I will find a local clock expert to perform the proper maintenance, etc. in order to keep it in good running order. Thanks for your nice comments!
Thank you Hedgewalker!
Hi aycockonxion,
You're welcome! Actually, I misidentified your model. There are several of the Seth Thomas Art Deco chime clocks which look very similar but the hands on your clock (if they are original) help identify it as a Seth Thomas "Falsbury 2E" circa 1939. According to Tran Duy Ly, this model should measure 9 1/4" in height, 13 1/2" in width and 5 1/2" in depth. The dial should measure 5 3/8".
Sorry for the confusion but if those measurements match your clock, I'm pretty certain that you have the Falsbury 2E.
Thank you, Bruce. That is exactly what it is. I appreciate your information!
You're very welcome.
Now you know there are at least two of these clocks since I have one in time strike and another with a chime movement.
The bushings from the electric motor to the gear trains get BADLY worn because they have to deal with the torque of the motor. Also the fiber wheel can get chewed up too. Keep up on maintenance since parts arent available. -Pete
BEAUTIFUL!! LOVE IT!!
I have one just like this! Love the chime needs work and restoring!! has been in box in climate contolled storage for 30 plus years.Clock came from my wifes mother in Port Henry NY. I would love to have it restored and repaired to near as new, not sure who to trust it with tho--- can anyone help?
Thank you
Kevin
Have one just like it and love it!
Hello Bruce, thank you for the valuable information on this clock. I inherited this very same Falsbury 2E clock from my grandparents. Mine tho does not have an electric cord. Is it possible this clock was released in 1937? Supposedly, they received this as a gift for their 1st wedding anniversary in Sept. 1937.
Also, can you offer any leads on where I can get a rough appraisal? thanks
Hello markK. Welcome to Collectors Weekly. This is a pretty old posting. Hard to believe I've been at this for so long. :) My resource has the model at "circa" 1939 which means it could have been manufactured several years before and after that date so the answer to your question is yes. The model may have been first offered before 1937 but it sure sounds like that ws the year your grandparents' clock was on the market. For rough estimates I tend to simply run searches on eBay. Condition is very important and if your clocks is not running, it's a decorative piece of antique design and technology. Generally speaking, Seth Thomas Electrics sell for less than the windup models. If the clock were running, I would guesstimate that it might sell for around $75 on eBay give or take $25. In it's current incomplete state, probably around $30 on a good day. As far as a family heirloom, though, it's priceless.
Regards,
Bruce
Thank you Bruce for the details and the leads. My relatives will be interested to hear about all the info we found here.
You're very welcome Mark.
It's a nice looking clock with family history. Cleaned and waxed I bet it would be a beautiful decorative piece as is. Of course, these clocks can usually be made to run again. We have several electric clocks in our collection, but I don't leave them plugged in. They are pretty old appliances and I wouldn't risk leaving them plugged in and unattended.
Bruce