Clocks, Watches/Bicentennial Clock

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Expert: - 12/21/2011


Question
Mr. Newman,
Do you have any other information on the Bicentennial grand father clock built by Mr. Harold Lanzer? Are there any left for purchase? How many did he actually build? I was doing some research on the 1976 Freedom train and came across a post of yours from 05/05/2008, and am interested in more information concerning the grandfather clock that he built.
Thank you in advance for your time,
Brent

Answer
Brent, I am not familiar with the Lanzer clocks and any information I passed on would have been from doing some checks on a search engine at the time.  I would have no further information than what I had passed on in 2008.  Sorry I cannot help you.

John Newman
The Village Clocksmith
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

Brent, after I sent my answer, I decided to Google Harold Lanzers Clock and I did gt a couple of hits on his book about the clock.  There are some of these books available for sale.  I would imagine that if you were doing research on this that you probably already checked this out.

John Newman  

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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