Expert: Michael Radi - 2/4/2009

Question
I was looking up about aclock I got out of an old house but cant seem to find anything about it, Was wondering if you could help Its amantle clock that chimes on the hour and 1/2 hour on the front its says Forestville ,made in germany, in side the back door it has the nunbers 307W and engraved in the back of the working its has 3/62 could you tell me where I could find something about it and if it has any value , still works good thanks Ken

Answer
Forestville was an American company that manufactured clocks as well as imported them. They would have the German company stamp their name on the clock movements before exporting them to the U.S.
Here is a little history on Forestville:
J.C. Brown (Johnathan Clark Brown, Jr.) was born in 1807, and died in 1872. He had various business partners from 1832 until 1842 when he bought out Wm. Hills, and formed J.C. Brown & Co. He used both his own name and Forestville Mfg. Co. on the labels.
From 1847-1855 he conducted business without partners as the Forestville Manufacturing Company or the Forrestville Clock Manufactory.
Brown’s business failed in 1855, and he was bought out by E.N. Welch. The J.C. Brown factory became part of the E.N. Welch clock manufacturing complex.
I don't know who made your movement but it is probably of very good quality as the German factories used high quality materials and workmanship. The value of the clock really depends on the looks of the case. These clocks are not rare because they were made in high volumes. A simple looking clock case in good condition and running should bring about $150 to $300. Fancier cases will bring more.
The 3/62 is most likely a date. If it is stamped into the back of a clock movement it could be the manufacturing month/year. If it is scratched in, it is probably a repair date.