Veering off the usual path.

[rmarkowitz1_cee4a1]

I typically seek 19th century clocks. Every so often, I surprise myself by acquiring something of more recent manufacture. This has resulted in some interesting additions, eg, 2 examples of Charles Alvah Smith's unique wooden works wall clocks (including a striker).

This most recent find is the type of clock I thought I would never buy. It's a Herschede Westminster 1/4 hour striker. It is in untouched condition. It has it's original finish, undamaged veneer and case except the little pull on the back door is gone, good silvering on the engraved dial (albeit some losses to the black wax inlay in the numerals, but it looks okay), original hands, etc. And, quite frankly, under the money. A clock striking the hour of 40 in the presence of the seller during negotiation of the price is a great bargaining tool.

Fortunately, the fix for the errant strike was a very minor adjustment. When I removed the dial to make the adjustment, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the movement and other components. We once knew how to build stuff. Based upon the serial # on the movement, I dated it to 1921 (of course in typical fashion, I don't recall what it was and forgot to record it).

It's a grandma's house clock. Sounds wonderful when it strikes, like what people expect an old clock to sound like. Not what I usually collect. But it's sometimes fun to veer off the usual path when the opportunity presents itself.

RM

[harold bain]

Nice find RM. I have two Westminster Herschede mantel clocks, and both have top quality sound, and great movements.
I've never seen one like yours. Is it a pendulum clock or platform escapement?

[rmarkowitz1_cee4a1]

Thanks! It's a pendulum clock. Neat way they suspend the pendulum with that little slide on piece.

RM

[Dave B]

Like you, I got this clock, not because I wanted to own a clock with a Hermle movement, but because the price was right. The dial was a mess - a couple of the numerals were missing, and two coner spandrels were gone. So I sprng for a moon dial, and the extra cog to drive it. The upper side panels were gone, so I cut a couple of pieces of glass to put in the holes. This is one of those cases where the movement comes out the top,so mounting glass in the side panels didn't make it any different to remove from the case. I was going to sell it, but it is the only chiming clock in the house, and I have kinda gotten used to having it around, so may decide to keep it. Now, if I find a Seth Thomas Sonora for super cheap, the Pearl is gonna have to go. :smile:

[rmarkowitz1_cee4a1]

[QUOTE= Now, if I find a Seth Thomas Sonora for super cheap, the Pearl is gonna have to go. :smile:[/QUOTE]

My earlier statement about seeking 19th century clocks aside, if I found an intact straight 8 bell Sonora under the money, I would veer off the usual path for that one too. Yeah, not holding my breath.

I often forget that clocks, like the handsome hall clock you posted, have the potential of being more than just visually appealling. I run only a few clocks regularly, so most of mine are poised like silent sentinels at attention in a permanent formation. What clocks like yours and the Herschede remind me is that they can also sound appealing. A nice solid "tic-toc" with a little performance every 1/4 hour.

But I'm getting a bit carried away...

RM

[Dave B]

For an eight bell sonora, I'd let the photo of Coleman Hawkins and Miles Davis go too! :D

[124Spider]

I often forget that clocks, like the handsome hall clock you posted, have the potential of being more than just visually appealling. I run only a few clocks regularly, so most of mine are poised like silent sentinels at attention in a permanent formation. What clocks like yours and the Herschede remind me is that they can also sound appealing. A nice solid "tic-toc" with a little performance every 1/4 hour.

But I'm getting a bit carried away...Not at all; a very large part of the charm, and an important criterion for my collecting, is the very pretty noises clocks can make. I keep all my clocks wound and running; 14 of them chime and/or strike, but I have been careful to have very little duplication of sounds, so there's this lovely array of bells and gongs going off every 15 minutes; guests don't lose track of time when invited to dinner, as conversation becomes somewhat more difficult on the top of each hour. :D

[rmarkowitz1_cee4a1]

Re: clocks and guests. I occasionally get some additional clocks running when guests come over. Most are charmed by what is now an unusual sound in an age of silent electrics. A few are annoyed, especially when they strike. One once commented to the effect of oh great, when I come to your home, I can hear how my life is just ticking away.

RM