Clocks, Watches/Clock Mfr

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Expert: - 9/29/2009


Question
Hi John:
Wife and I have early 1900s furniture. Stickley & some empire. We want to search for best quality grandfather clock made in that period, US and foreign. For manufacturing period 1890-1930, what are the 2 top maker names that come to mind? Best made quality grandfather clocks that era?

Answer
William, I am definitely not an expert on antiques and period furniture, but in the consideration of clocks I would loosely put Stickley, Arts and Crafts and Mission in the same area of classification.  When you ask the best quality grandfather clock in that time period, I'm not sure you mean in the Stickley style.  If not, probably two of the top quality clock companies in the United States at the turn-of-the-century were Herschede and E. Howard.  Of the seven largest general clock manufacturers in that era, Seth Thomas and Ansonia were probably at the top.  I understand that Stickley (Stickley and Bros.) manufactured clock cases and installed the clock movements obtained from the other clockmakers.  If you were to require the upscale pure Stickley style, you might contact an appraiser in that area of expertise.  However, probably all the seven top clockmakers produced these styles of clocks.  Some of them that had more numerous Mission style listings that come to mind are Seth Thomas, Sessions, Gilbert and New Haven.  Seth Thomas had a name for making some clocks of a little better quality.  I think New Haven had a better selection of Mission styles as indicated in some of the reference books I have on antique clocks.  Right now (9/29/2009) there are three listings on eBay of Stickley clocks.  The first one is a floor clock with a "Stickley Bros." label in fairly good condition.  In looking for a clock, I would look for the condition of the case and movement and if any restoration was needed, get an estimate on what it would take to bring it back to good condition, keeping in mind that patina is a condition of value.  I hope this has answered your questions.


John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

Clocks, Watches

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John Newman

Expertise

As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.

Experience

One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.

Organizations
Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee

Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.

Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)

Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama) Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)

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