Globe Clock Co. Worlds Fair Clock Baseball Clock

[insomniacshotrods]

I have gotten interested in these clocks and have googled and searched here on the mb about info. Ive seen the patent for 1936. Ive seen info saying they sold at the worlds fair in NewYork in 1939-40, also seen info for the following "Tran shows it for 1941 in vol. 3 of his American Clocks" Was this sold starting in 1936 to the public or was it just sold at the fair in 39-40, or sold to commemorate the fair and could be bought from 36 up to 41 when WW2 started? Also Ive seen them saying they came with a brass ball and metal columns and base. Mine is all metal, would that indicate a later production date when brass was used only for war material? Just curious, I plan on restoring this and mostly seen it in the off white color like mine was. Pretty homely right now with wrong min hand, but works really good. I took the movement out and was relieved to find it didnt look anything like the tape measure clock movement Ive been playing with. Thanks

 

[MartinM]

Are you sure your sphere isn't brass? All of the examples I have are:
Pot metal - Base & Columns
Brass - Hemispheres containing the brass movement and (I believe) a nickel-plated brass top finial
Aluminum - Pendulum rod and bob.

There's a lot of misinformation out there on this one. Some sites even claim it was given away at the 1936 Chicago World's Fair. Sorry... No.
Beacuse they shared what appears to be the exact same paint as the tape clocks, I'm wondering if they can't be tied together where dates are concerned.

 

[insomniacshotrods]

Yep positive im sure its not brass. My wife asked me the same thing so i got my magnet touched a brass winding key and of course it didnt stick, then put it on the globe clock sphere and it stuck like a warm tongue to cold metal pole in winter. Ive got another coming so Ill see if that one is brass or metal. Maybe Ive found the one and only prototype and can tell my boss were to shove it im gonna be rich lol. Im gathering photos of these if youd like to share yours Martin, Id love to see them.

 

[Steven Thornberry]

At Eric's request I have moved this thread to the Clocks General forum. A re-direct left in the Newest Acquisition forum will allow access from that forum as well for a period of 3 days.

 

[insomniacshotrods]

Darn was hoping to get more exposure in this category. Guess it will remain a mystery.

 

[insomniacshotrods]

Got another one of these today and the sphere is also metal not brass.

 

[shutterbug]

I've had a couple of these, and always heard that they were distributed at the worlds fair in Chicago. I've also heard that the shape is that of a baseball, and that of a globe. Take your pick

 

[davidpaul]

My Globe clock with its Lux movement, definitely has a solid brass ball.

I polished it on a soft buffing wheel prior to clear coating it. Also stripped the original, chipped paint off of its stand and repainted it black.

Like others have said, it runs extremely well and keeps perfect time.

 

[MartinM]

Per the patent drawing, your pendulum bob is on, upside-down.
US Patent

 

[davidpaul]

Per the patent drawing, your pendulum bob is on, upside-down.
US Patent

Thanks Martin, good to know.

I am back to legal now and I think the clock actually runs a bit better.

 

[insomniacshotrods]

Well I finally got a worlds fair clock that had a brass sphere , its the black one. I think im going to do it like yours Davidpaul I really like the polished brass ball with the black columns and base. I guess ill never know why the others are metal spheres instead of brass.

 

[shutterbug]

I have seen both. They were painted different colors, and perhaps it was felt that brass was too expensive to paint? Hard to know.

 

[MartinM]

I believe they were all painted, originally. Whether brass or steel.

 

[insomniacshotrods]

I believe they were all painted, originally. Whether brass or steel.

From Dan and Diana's lux web site. Our site will help you identify your vintage LUX clock, get an approximate manufactured date, and other invaluable information. Also, you will be able to see your pendulette clock with the correct hands, bob, ornamental weights, and original factory colors.. http://luxclocks.net/shpage.cgi?Boo...kgroundImage=back1.JPG&BookThumbnailColumns=5 Ive been collecting pictures of all the globe clocks I see, but so far this green/brass is the only one ive seen like it.

 

[davidpaul]

Well I finally got a worlds fair clock that had a brass sphere , its the black one. I think im going to do it like yours Davidpaul I really like the polished brass ball with the black columns and base. I guess ill never know why the others are metal spheres instead of brass.

Looking forward to seeing your finished product. Nice find.

Don't forget to spray the polished brass with clear gloss poly. I have found that this one gives me the best results for durability.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Minwax-1...r-Spar-Urethane-Aerosol-Spray-33250/100376198

 

[MartinM]

From Dan and Diana's lux web site. Our site will help you identify your vintage LUX clock, get an approximate manufactured date, and other invaluable information. Also, you will be able to see your pendulette clock with the correct hands, bob, ornamental weights, and original factory colors.. http://luxclocks.net/shpage.cgi?Boo...kgroundImage=back1.JPG&BookThumbnailColumns=5 Ive been collecting pictures of all the globe clocks I see, but so far this green/brass is the only one ive seen like it.

Well... We know they weren't averse to having plated metal (brass or copper) show through on their tape measure clocks. I only have two of the green ones. While I can currently only find the one I have restored, both originally had a green painted brass globe. I still have to clean up the area of the tape clocks where the metal should be showing through. I wanted to wait for the paint to be fully cured and never got around to cleaning it off.

 

[insomniacshotrods]

Dang Martin, thats a cool collection for sure. Super nice job on restoring them. I love both these styles of clocks. Only have one rotary clock to date, but still looking for more in my budget range. Ive got my movement all torn down ready for bushings as soon as I get the nerve.

 

[davidpaul]

Martin,

That is an absolutely beautiful display.

Your quality of work is exquisite.

David <><

 

[MartinM]

I still need to get a cream-colored and a black globe clock and a silver version of both. Wish I could find the right paint for the two middle globe clocks. They have a very unique finish.

 

[insomniacshotrods]

Thanks David I'll give it a try.

 

[insomniacshotrods]

Martin is the teal greenish color on the clocks an Automotive paint? Spray gun or can? Thanks I really like it.

 

[shutterbug]

I had to repaint a teal colored tape measure clock like that. I believe I used Krylon Interior-Exterior spray paint, and it was a great match. You pick the color by the lid color

 

[MartinM]

It was a Testors 'Model Master' paint I got at the hobby store. I believe the color was "Turquoise Metallic" and it comes in a 3 ounce rattle can.
I know it looks quite different from the color seen on these clocks; But, if you put a drop of acetone or lacquer thinner on an inconspicuous area with a q-tip, you'll see what I believe to be the original non-faded color appear.

 

[insomniacshotrods]

Ive got an airbrush and was thinking of using duplicolor scratch fix paint until I seen the price. I might try this on one too http://www.autozone.com/paint-and-b...ast-anodized-coating/353491/?_requestid=10658 Dont really care if its factory color per say since im restoring for myself. I am going to try to find that turquoise color too that is really cool looking. Thanks guys.

 

[MartinM]

Given how the tops of these clocks were plated, using a tinted clear finish may not work as the plating was applied inconsistently (They only had to worry about the corner 'ring' that wasn't painted.)

 

[PatH]

Well... We know they weren't averse to having plated metal (brass or copper) show through on their tape measure clocks. I only have two of the green ones. While I can currently only find the one I have restored, both originally had a green painted brass globe. I still have to clean up the area of the tape clocks where the metal should be showing through. I wanted to wait for the paint to be fully cured and never got around to cleaning it off.

Martin -
Do all of your globe clocks have Globe Clock Co and the patent number under the bottom of the base? Thanks!
Pat

 

[MartinM]

Yes, They do.

 

[PatH]

Thank you for confirming.

 

[shutterbug]

Those things run with a very wide swing. They're pretty cool.