Is my clock a Grandfather clock or Grandmother clock

[jim6986]

Ridgeway clock model#144 just trying to find out more info on my clock. any help is appeciated

 

[bangster]

Show us a pic or two. It might be a great-uncle clock.

 

[shutterbug]

Generally, a Grandmother clock is shorter - like 5 feet tall. A grandfather is taller, usually 6 ft. or so.

 

[jim6986]

 

[JTD]

So how tall is it?

JTD

 

[Willie X]

How bout smallish a
Grandfather ... Ha
Willie X

 

[stewey]

Well, if we really wanted to take the time, the height could be arrived at fairly accurately by using measurements in the photo based on the position of the dimmer control, and applying simple arithmetic ratios.
Or maybe it's a thermostat...Anyway, that thinga-ma-bob on the wall immediately to the right of the tall/long case clock.

 

[JTD]

Well, yes, Stewey, I thought of that too, but who knows what level people put things..........

Since we haven't been told the height of the clock I am going to stick my neck out and say it's a 'grandfather' rather than a 'grandmother'. I may well be wrong but I didn't think Ridgeway made 'grandmother clocks' but that is just an impression I have and may not be correct.

JTD

 

[novicetimekeeper]

Do these short clocks have a short duration, or are they spring driven?

They are all longcase, sorry tallcase, clocks really, or floor clocks. The distinctions seem a bit arbitrary. If mine were shorter they wouldn't run for as long.

 

[J. A. Olson]

There are no strict definitions for a "Grandfather" or "Grandmother" clock.

 

[stewey]

JTD, I was thinking after I posted that if anyone wanted to go that way, they should use the light switch as a reference, as the positioning of these is pretty well standardized.

 

[KurtinSA]

My light switches are 53 inches to the middle of them. Another 7 inches is 5 feet. The clock looks to be taller than 5 feet.

Kurt

 

[JTD]

You're right Stewey, I should have thought of the light switch.

But I keep hoping the OP will just tell us the height and make things easier............oh well!

JTD

 

[shutterbug]

Just to add another wrinkle, a Grand daughter clock is even shorter - in the 3 foot area and typically runs with a mantle clock type movement without the pendulum showing

 

[novicetimekeeper]

Just to add another wrinkle, a Grand daughter clock is even shorter - in the 3 foot area and typically runs with a mantle clock type movement without the pendulum showing

Presumably at 3 foot it doesn't stand on the floor?

 

[shutterbug]

Presumably at 3 foot it doesn't stand on the floor?

Yes, often they do. They have the same look as the taller clocks generally. I don't see them often, so they must not have been as popular

 

[doug sinclair]

Before 1876, such clocks were called "tall clocks", or "long case clocks". The song "My Grandfather's Clock" (so the story goes), resulted in an enterprising individual to start a trend toward calling such clocks "grandfather clocks". It might have been the same entrepreneur (or another equally enterprising entrepreneur) that realized there might be a market for a "grandmother" clock. So I suggest you call it by the gender you prefer. The most recent a Ridgeway on line catalog that I found doesn't list that model number, so who knows what Ridgeway (or rather Howard Miller) would say on the topic. But generally, there is a trend to calling taller clocks with seconds beat pendulums as Grandfather clocks. And smaller ones, grandmother.

 

[novicetimekeeper]

Before 1876, such clocks were called "tall clocks", or "long case clocks". The song "My Grandfather's Clock" (so the story goes), resulted in an enterprising individual to start a trend toward calling such clocks "grandfather clocks". It might have been the same entrepreneur (or another equally enterprising entrepreneur) that realized there might be a market for a "grandmother" clock. So I suggest you call it by the gender you prefer. The most recent a Ridgeway on line catalog that I found doesn't list that model number, so who knows what Ridgeway (or rather Howard Miller) would say on the topic. But generally, there is a trend to calling taller clocks with seconds beat pendulums as Grandfather clocks. And smaller ones, grandmother.

I only have one that is posh enough to have a second hand, and for that reason a 2 second period pendulum isn't essential.

As to the song, well the point of it was that longcase clocks were out of fashion and an old man's thing, it came a bit late for the relaunch of a genre that was pretty much dead in the water. The revival, such as it was, came with musical clocks, and they seem to have been much more popular in North America than they were here.

You do see on ebay clocks described as grandmother or grand daughter, they seem to make a big thing of it if weight driven so I assume they are not all weight driven. I've never noticed one at 3 foot though.

 

[jim6986]

] . 6 foot 3 inches from for to top

 

[novicetimekeeper]

] . 6 foot 3 inches from for to top

That's a very tall granny.

 

[harold bain]

DeCarle's Watch and Clock Encyclopedia gives 6' 6 inches as the median height distinction between the two, which would make yours a grandmother clock.
A granddaughter clock is from 3'6 inches to 4' 6 inches.

 

[novicetimekeeper]

DeCarle's Watch and Clock Encyclopedia gives 6' 6 inches as the median height distinction between the two, which would make yours a grandmother clock.
A granddaughter clock is from 3'6 inches to 4' 6 inches.

My 1720s longcase just sneaks in at 6'8 but to be fair it has probably shrunk a bit in 300 years, happens when you get on a bit. The youngsters in the house are a bit taller.

 

[jim6986]

6 < 3 inches from floor

 

[novicetimekeeper]

6 < 3 inches from floor

That's about the same as this one that stands in a house about 4 miles from here. Same house it has stood in since new. (they have the receipt)

http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1255163

I think this labelling is a bit arbitrary. The average height of people has changed somewhat over the last 300 years. My own granny was about 5 foot.

 

[Willie X]

I agree with nov, there's a lot of gray area. At 6' - 3", I would probably call it a Grandfather. It was made in the days of 8' celings. Today most houses have 9'+ ceilings and require larger cases. Many Grandfather clocks today are around 90".
Willie X

 

[novicetimekeeper]

I agree with nov, there's a lot of gray area. At 6' - 3", I would probably call it a Grandfather. It was made in the days of 8' celings. Today most houses have 9'+ ceilings and require larger cases. Many Grandfather clocks today are around 90".
Willie X

Most of the houses in my life I was lucky if the ceilings were as high as 6 foot 6, it's one of the reasons I had to wait so long for my first longcase.

I've seen 17th century clocks very short like the one up the road and very tall. Height gives you longer duration but practical limitations of room height, reading the time and adjusting and winding the clock. The one in Kingston Lacey may have been cut down but this is no pantry clock on flagstone floors, it stands on the finest marble though the house has been substantially remodelled since the clock was bought in the 1690s. (£12 for this and an ebonised bracket clock also still in the house)

Regency and Victorian clocks started to get massive, presumably reflecting the room sizes as you say.

 

[bruce linde]

ridgeway was acquired by howard miller in 2004... not that that helps, particularly.

you didn't mention whether there were any identifying marks inside the case, or maybe a plate on the back?

if the clock isn't secured to the wall and it's possible to swing it out a bit to see if there's anything on the back, that would be a help.

also, the hood (top part around the movement and dial) should come off... there might be little thumb latches in back, don't know... but pictures of the movement might also help.

smike


p.s.: i'm sure there are technical terms one should adhere to, but any clock that's taller than me (well... 6') is a grandfather clock... in my book.

 

[jim6986]

thanks for the reply.The Model I have is #144 bought in Ethan Allen store in the mid seventies .I am trying to find another one,same model for my brother .the more info i have the better chance i can find one

 

[bruce linde]

thanks for the reply.The Model I have is #144 bought in Ethan Allen store in the mid seventies .I am trying to find another one,same model for my brother .the more info i have the better chance i can find one

sorry... i just don't believe that's the right number. i'm a power-googler and have been unable to come up with any ridgeway model close to that number.

can you be explicit about how you know that's the model number? because it says so on the receipt? because it's marked somewhere? i would like to see a photo of whatever you're looking at.

additional random thoughts:

- you might be able to find another one, but the odds are slim.

- finding one close enough to pick up instead of having to use freight shipping? i don't see it happening... and the ones on eBay that include free shipping cost a lot.

- these were not the greatest quality clocks... and my understanding is the movements made in the 70s were designed for a life-span of maybe 20 years.. for the same dough, you might be able to get an older, higher quality clock... just sayin'

- there are always grandfather clocks for sale on craigslist. you can click on the 'craigslist' logo in the upper-left corner of their pages to select which craigslist you want to search. i'm in the san francisco bay area, but will sometimes switch to 'sacramento' or 'santa barbara' or 'los angeles', etc.... in other words, within driving distance

- you might check for local (tbd) clock stores that sell grandfather clocks... there are several near me that have larger selections of grandfather clocks on consignment

without more specific info, though, i think your search is dead in the water.

smike

 

[lpbp]

Personally I don't like the term Grandfather, Grandmother, Grandson, Granddaughter, when referring to long case or floor clocks, it leaves too much to the imagination. I have seen wall clocks, mantle, including kitchen and tambour called Grandfather clocks, which i guess the term would be correct if it was owned by your Grandfather, as in Grandfathers clock. Maybe I'm being picky, but before I got smart and asked the question, I would get calls to go out and look at a Grandfather clock for sale, and saw every conceivable clock, including an OG.

 

[Peixian]

There are no strict definitions for a "Grandfather" or "Grandmother" clock.

you are right. It is impossible to identify the grandmother and grandfather clock just from its appearance.

 

[jim6986]

- - - Updated - - -

this is the sticker on the inside of the case

 

[bruce linde]

well, that label is spectacularly uninformative!

so there are some previous ridgeway threads on the forum. in one of them, a member named 'spaceman spiff' seems to have a ridgeway catalog and can help with identification... i sent him a private message alerting him to this thread.

also found this, which might be of interest to you: http://goo.gl/nC2UNT

good luck!

smike

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Hi, Jim.
Welcome to the message board!

(And thanks, smike, for alerting me to the thread. I generally visit the message board every couple of weeks and check if anyone is needing assistance with the identification of Ridgeway clock models).

In the past few years I've been able to help a good percentage of people identify their models. In recent months, unfortunately, it seems I only get asked about the particular models which "fall between the cracks" in terms of which catalogs I have. I have catalogs which date from approximately 1967, 1972, 1977 and 1997, and since certain models ran for a number of years, those models may overlap into more than one of the catalogs. Conversely, the models which only appeared for a couple of years and were discontinued often fall between the gaps of my catalogs.

Sadly, this appears to be one of the latter cases. My catalogs contain models 140, 141, and 142, and then no more until model 149. I wish I was able to help. (My guess would be that your clock dates from the 1960s, but just wasn't captured in the 1967 or 1972 catalog).

As for the difference between a grandfather and a grandmother clock, I was always under the impression that clocks taller than 6 feet (72 inches) were grandfather clocks and those shorter than this were grandmother clocks. But it appears this does not fit Ridgeway's descriptions. I'm looking in their 1967 catalog and there are a number of models measuring 72" and even 75" tall which they specifically call grandmother clocks. So, as was mentioned above it appears 6' 3" seems to be the dividing line. (There are also a couple of so-called granddaughter clocks which are listed as being 56" tall).

But in general use I see people all the time calling various wall clocks "grandfather clocks." So, the term is used rather arbitrarily.

Anyway, sorry I wasn't of more help.
Best of luck,
John

 

[bruce linde]

(And thanks, smike, for alerting me to the thread. I generally visit the message board every couple of weeks and check if anyone is needing assistance with the identification of Ridgeway clock models).Anyway, sorry I wasn't of more help.

can't say we didn't try!

 

[jim6986]

Thanks for the info, I will keep checking .Really appreciate the reply

- - - Updated - - -

Thank you!

 

[Ontime]

A further category are dwarf clocks which have the tall clock form, but stand less then 4 feet. I own the clock pictured on the right - these are Joshua Wilder reproductions, an stand 46 " tall (top of final).

 

[Sissa]

Ridgeway clock model#144 just trying to find out more info on my clock. any help is appeciated

I just acquired a Ridgeway Model 144, so they do exist! I'm trying to find information on the weights (how much each is supposed to weigh). The clock I have is missing them. Since you have a working one I thought I'd see if you had that information!

 

[P.Hageman]

On your picture its hard too see if its wearing a skirt or trousers