Clocks, Watches/Howard Miller GF

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Expert: - 7/6/2010


Question

Howard Miller GF
After the passing of my great-grandmother i inherited a standing grandfather clock that i know nothing about. I have a reciept from when she purchased it in 1994 for 2,400 from "House of Clocks" and it identifies the GF as a Howard Miller 610-514 but when i've searched for information about it, i cannot find anything. No clocks with the model # and no clocks that even look like mine.. I have attached a picture that i hope can help. Thank you for your time. :]

Answer
Sonya, I'm not sure what the question is, but you have a Howard Miller cable driven, 8-day grandfather clock.  It has triple chime and a lyre pendulum.  It is known as the Hartly.  In 1990 this clock was offered as the Hartly-64, which was the 64th Anniversary edition finished in "Delaware Cherry".  The moon dial was a blue moon phase dial.  The chimes were Westminster, St. Michael Whittington (normal for triple chime clocks) but this one played the chimes in sequence or solely.  I have never actually heard one.  I checked a Howard Miller 1998-1999 catalog and it was not listed, possibly meaning that it had been phased out.  I imagine it would be rather complicated to work on, compared to the the conventional triple chime model.  That's about all I can tell you.  I know you have a very nice clock.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

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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