Expert: David Morgan - 1/8/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dave,  We have inherited a Herschede Revere clock.  It has a plate that says  Herschede Hall Clock Co.  Cincinnati, OH  Panama Pacific International Exposition 1915 Grand Prize.  It has 5 tubes, they look like nickel, and has a number 51510 on it.  What can you tell me about this clock?  Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi ,,During the early to mid 1920s public interest in electric timekeeping was closely watched by Herschede clock company. President Walter Herschede believing that electric time keeping was not sufficiently tested and that possible public dissatisfaction could discredit the name of the Herschede Clock company. In 1926 however he solved the problem by organizing the Revere Clock Company.  All Revere clocks were Telechrone- Motored by Warren Telechron's synchronous motors and the two firms carried out a cooperative advertising program which would merge the firms. The Herschede clock company won many awards which included the Grand Prize at the 1915 exposition. The tubes are nickel plated tubes made of brass. These are excellent clocks and you are fortunate to own one of these rather rare clocks. Best of Luck  David M

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QUESTION: Dave,  Our clock is working and is completely original.  We don't believe it has been cleaned or serviced EVER!!  The cabinet is showing some age.  Should we have it refinished and serviced?  When do you think our clock was manufactured?  We were guessing around 1913.  It looks like it is an electric winding clock instead of a pure electric clock. I also found that it had the ornamental weights and a vial (?) pendulum.  I guess I should try and send you a picture that could give you more information, so you can give us more information. From what you sent us, it looks like theses type of clocks were manufactured in the 1920's.  How can it be manufactured in the '20's and win an award in 1915?  What do you estimate a clock like this being worth? Do you know of a reputable clock repair shop in the Washington, DC area?  You have been a great help already.  Thanks so much.  Ken Busche

Answer
HI Ken, The Herschede clock company was founded in the late 1800s and it was one of their non-electrical hall clocks that won the award. The date of manufacture is most likely 1928-1930.
Now you ask about refinishing, the answer to that is NO!!. If you use a good furniture re-finishing product and carefully go over the clock using a clean cloth you will bring out the original color of the wood. First select a part of the clock that is least noticeable and work a small area to begin with. As far as servicing your clock I would recommend that you log onto nawcc.org follow the prompts and you can get information for your area.  You had a ? mark after the word vial, do you have a glass vial or perhaps 2 or 3? If you do this is a mercury compensating pendulum. This means that the glass jar(s) were filled about 3/4 full of mercury. Mercury is considered a hazardous material and no longer easy to find. You can have steel slugs made that will fit into the jar and that will work just fine if you don't have the mercury. Please keep me posted, David M