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I could be wrong, but I don't think Kroeber made any clocks? I know he made some cases and had other companies make movements to his specs, but does assembling the parts make him a clock maker? Not for my money!
Florenz Friederick Martin Kroeber (1840-1911), was both an importer and maker of clocks. Some of the Kroeber clocks used movements attributed to Kroeber, and some used movements by Seth Thomas and possibly others.
Just to add fuel to the fire on whether Kroeber was or was not a clockmaker.
I agree with the other posts, I have Kroeber clocks with various manufacturers’ movements.
If as many auto manufacturers do, you order various components, to your specifications, from various manufacturing companies and then assemble them in to a final product does that make you clockmaker?
Is Ford an automobile-maker? Does Dell make computers? Does the USA make space shuttles?
Was Kroeber a clockmaker, a clocksmith, an entrepreneur or a plain old capitalist?
If I collect Kroeber’s clocks what am I collecting?
Don’t take this as anything more that a philosophical or rhetorical question. Just for fun. Curious minds what to know.
Because he dealt in clocks. A clock 'company' doesn't have to make what it sells.If he didn't make any clocks why would there be a "F. Kroeber Clock Co."?
You might find our longer thread on Kroeber Clocks interesting.If he didn't make any clocks why would there be a "F. Kroeber Clock Co."?
Found one of his clocks today at a second hand store for $20 (US). Not in great condition but a fun find. I'll get it appraised and see what comes of it...
But here's part of one label. (Tried to enhance it a little because at plain sught it's just a dark label. Had to adjust lighting and angle to get the name to even appear.)
View attachment 772908