Hobbies And Interests
Earliest Clocks
The earliest mechanical clocks date from the Middle Ages. Powered by springs, they were cumbersome and inaccurate. In 1656, the scientist Christian Huygens discovered that pendulums permitted clocks to keep reasonably accurate time. Timekeeping also became more precise with the appearance of the first minute hands. Clock making made considerable progress in England with the development of a dead-beat anchor escapement that is still found in many pendulum clocks today.
American Clocks
American clockmakers found ways to bring timekeeping to the masses. Thomas Harland developed clocks with interchangeable parts. In the 1790s, Eli Terry replaced brass gears with cheaper wooden ones. Terry also developed the very first true clock factory. Several years later, Simon Willard invented the very popular banjo clock, a timepiece that looked like the musical instrument. Early 19th century American clocks were mostly grandfather clocks with a long case to hold the pendulum.
Grandfather Clocks
A variety of long case clock, the grandfather clock is usually about 6 feet, 8 inches tall. A key winds the mechanism inside the clock. One winding can last anywhere from 30 hours to eight days. Pendulums must be set so that they do not brush against the back of the clock. Two weights hang independently from the pendulum. As they descend, they pull on the gear wheels causing them to turn. Grandfather clocks often feature dials that show the days of the week, or the phases of the moon.
Shelf Clocks
Eli Terry also developed a smaller mechanism that could be used in shelf clocks. Shelf clocks or mantel clocks, and wall clocks, virtually replaced the long case clock by the mid-1800s. Popular from about 1840 to the early 1900s, beehive clocks come in small case that is somewhat pointed at the top. They competed with shelf clocks like the Black Mantel that were rectangular in shape, and commonly 12 inches high x 16 inches wide x 7 inches deep. Black mantels are wooden clocks with ebony-like enamel paint.
Potential
Collectors often look for pieces from specific periods in the history of clock making. Clock prices are influenced by condition and aesthetic appeal. Cases and faces should be intact, and mechanisms ideally in working order. A very handsome clock might still fetch a good price even if it does not still work. In general, pieces by the Early American clock makers are highly valued. An 1828 Seth Thomas mantel clock goes for more than $3,000, and an 1805 Simon Willard banjo clock can command close to $19,000.