Illinois Ghost

[Robert Smothers]

All

I have been an avid Illinois collector for over ten years, and there is one Illinois watch that haunts me....the 21 jewel 16 size Sangamo Special Hunter. At this time I have not seen an example of this watch, or a picture of this watch. It is my understanding that 50 pieces were produced. So does anyone know of an example, or have a picture of this "Illinois Ghost." Thanks for your help in advance.

Robert

[michael chamelin]

A nearly impossible one to find for sure, Robert. The ONLY one I know of is the one listed in the Illinois book and with only 50 listed in the Illinois ledger that were suppossedly produced, I would think one would be worth more than it's weight in gold, or platinum for that matter?, ha!

Should one turn up, for sale, I am sure the number of bidders/buyers seeking to fill that long vacant square will be , shall we say, something of interest to "watch" ?... A substantial acquisition to any Illinois watch collection, for sure. Best of luck and Happy Hunting!

[Fred Hansen]

The Sangamo Specials hunting cases are all terrific watches, and I've seen some 19J and 23J bought and sold over the last couple years but have not seen a 21J in this time.

Fred

[Fred Hansen]

It looks like the 21J HC shown in the Illinois book is serial #2658929 and the photo is on page 130.

Fred

[Robert Smothers]

Thanks Mike and Fred

But for the picture in the Illinois Encyclopedia, by Meggers and Ehrhardt, it would be hard to prove the 21j Sangamo Special Hunter exist. For two years I have ask around, just hoping to get a picture of one, without success. From the one serial 2,658,929 which is pictured on page 130, the serial number range must be 2,658,901-2,658,950 for a total of fifty.

Please post pictures if you have access to this watch!

Robert

[Fred Hansen]

Keep an eye out Robert and hopefully one will show for you!

I know how you feel because I've wondered the same thing about a few low production Illinois watches ... ones that I'd kept an eye out for years and had never seen a photo of or even heard talk of in that time.

One of these was the factory marked open-face 18 size grade 107 (total production listed as 20 in the Meggers book, and as 70 in Russ Snyder's database). The grade 107 was the equivalent to the Bunn grade but was not marked with the Bunn name, and I had seen a handful of hunting case examples of this grade but none in open-face (or even a rumor of one being out there). But sure enough after years of wondering if the watch even existed one showed up on eBay and I was able to finish as high bidder ...

http://nawcc-ch149.com/ch149mb/files/thumbs/t_a03_194.jpg

Fred

p.s. An even greater "ghost" on my list is the 26 jewel Sangamo grade ... listed in the Illinois records but I have never seen or heard of a known example.

[Robert Smothers]

Fred

Nice watch. Just like your dad said "we haven't see it all yet." I am sure that there will be some surprises just around the corner. That's what makes the hunt fun.

Robert

[Tom McIntyre]

Fred,

I need to check my notes from the 2006 Time Symposium. I thought there was a 26J there, but that may just be fuzzy memory.

[Fred Hansen]

Thanks Tom and looking forward to anything you find ... I've seen the 26J in 18 size Illinois, but in the 16 size I haven't seen anything beyond 25 jewel.

Fred