Rare And Collectible Clocks : 1797 Value Guide - Price List

Sold on eBay September 4th, 2024

ANTIQUE GERMAN BRASS DIPTYCH SUNDIAL, 1797

Sold on eBay February 19th, 2024

Eli Terry & Sons Wooden Works Transitional Clock 30 Hour T&S Painted Eagle Splat

This is an antique "transitional" wood works clock made by Eli Terry & Sons. It has a standard 30 hour movement, and as far as I can tell, is ALL ORIGINAL. Eli Terry & Sons Wooden Works Transitional Clock 30 Hour T&S Painted Eagle Splat Eli Terry & Sons Wooden Works Transitional Clock 30 Hour T&S Painted Eagle Splat Click images to enlarge Description Heritage Matters WEIGHT DRIVEN TRANSITIONAL CLOCK ELI TERRY & SONS 30 HOUR T&S (ON THE HOUR ONLY) CIRCA 1823 - 1832 This is an antique "Transitional" wood works clock made by Eli Terry & Sons, with an excellent label intact. It has a 30 hour movement, striking on the hour only. The lower glass is a replacement, but appears to be correctly reverse painted, and not screen-printed. It retains it original "tin can" pulley covers--the few times they appear on eBay, they go for a couple of hundred dollars themselves. Rather than the usual splat featuring a cornucopia, this one has an eagle! The paint on that splat, as well as on the columns, appears to be original. The movement is an original Terry-type. The weights, hands, and pendulum bob are all original. It measures approximately 28 X 17 X 5 inches. Old Eli began a partnership with his sons Eli Jr. and Henry about 1823. Junior left the firm in 1828 and Henry in 1832, which ended the company. "Transitional clocks" such as this overlap in production with the Pillar and Scroll clocks designed and first produced by Eli Terry (and also made by several others) and the "Brass Looking Glass Clock," or as it is generally called today, the half-column and splat clock (the movement is often called a "groaner") designed by Jerome about 1828. Most say this type of clock represents a transition from the pillar and scroll style to the column and splat clocks, but I think it is more accurate to think of them of a transition between movement construction. These "Transitional" clocks could use the same movements produced for pillar and scroll clocks, as well as a cabinet with approximately the same dimensions as the P&S. Those made for Jerome's "groaner" movements required a longer case and some degree of re-tooling, at least for the escapement. The transitional clocks also have the same sort of reverse paintings as do the pillar and scroll clocks, but with a different top splat and claw feet, like those often used in Empire style furniture. You know, Eli Whitney gets the credit for mass production and interchangeable parts, receiving a government contract for 10,000 muskets in 1797. However, for the first year, he produced not a single musket. In 1801, he demonstrated the ease of assembling muskets from interchangeable parts for a government committee which included out-going President John Adams and incoming President Thomas Jefferson. However, it turned out the demonstration was a set-up, using predetermined parts. I have even read that Whitney never managed to perfect the technique, and actually subcontracted the muskets out to more traditional arms makers. He did, however, come up with the idea for it, an idea which Eli Terry applied to his wooden works clocks, and put a clock within the financial reach of people who could otherwise have never afforded one! The splat has a crack in it, and it looks like two of its original glue blocks were lost, and a single one at the center was added. There are various small pieces of veneer which have been replaced, and I see at least one area where the veneer has cracked (see photos). On the dial, there is a missing wood chip just to the right of the winding arbor. The movement of this clock was completely disassembled, cleaned, and restrung. There are old repairs to some of the teeth. It is currently working HOWEVER (1) I have read that when produced, the wooden movements were estimated to have a "life expectancy" of about 20 years. We are well beyond that now, by about 180 years, and it is amazing that so many of them are still running! However, you might say they are living on borrowed time, so I cannot guarantee a wood works clocks, especially after it goes through the post office or any other shipper. And (2) I sell all mechanical and electrical devices in AS-IS condition anyway, because parts can become brittle so that any disturbance affects it. Please note: the weights will be shipped separately from the clock, at no additional expense to the buyer. Even so, I find this an AMAZING and beautiful clock! Should there be a problem with your purchase, please contact me directly through the eBay mail system. I can and will do the same things directly that I would through eBay, and probably more quickly. NO RESERVE! MY PLEDGE TO YOU: no surprises! I will provide high-resolution scans; I will fully describe each item, obverse and reverse, positives and negatives, possibilities, likelihoods, what I suspect, and which is which; and I will provide as much historical context as I can. Now, I believe that the only people who never make mistakes are those who never say or do anything, so consequently, there will be times I am wrong. There, you are covered by my guarantee. MY GUARANTEE TO YOU: I guarantee each item to be genuine as described. After you receive your purchase, you will have a 30 day inspection period; and if you are dissatisfied for any reason, simply return the item (in its original condition) for an immediate refund of your purchase price. Furthermore, if in the inspection period, you decide to send the item for expertizing, I will extend the period until its return from the expert of your choice. If it returns with an opinion of not genuine, or of being significantly different from how I describe it, I will also reimburse you for the expertizing fee. And the ONLY exception to my guarantee is that I am not responsible for mishandling by the mail system, and any damages incurred therein. That is what insurance is for, and it is automatic on this item. Get images thatmake Supersized seem small.Showcase your items with Auctiva sListing Templates!The complete eBay Selling Solution. Track Page Views WithAuctiva's Counter (Condition: Pre-Owned)

Sold on eBay February 24th, 2025

Pratt & Frost, Jester Top 30 Hour T&S Wooden Works Clock, Reading, Massachusetts

This is a slight variation on a "Jester Top" clock made by Pratt & Frost, ca. 1832-1833. It is currently working. Pratt & Frost, Jester Top 30 Hour T&S Wooden Works Clock, Reading, Massachusetts Pratt & Frost, Jester Top 30 Hour T&S Wooden Works Clock, Reading, Massachusetts Click images to enlarge Description Heritage Matters PRATT & FROST WOODEN WORKS CLOCK ORIGINAL CASE, MOVEMENT, & MOST PARTS 30 HOUR T&S CIRCA 1832 - 1835 This is a variation on a "Jester Top" clock made by Pratt & Frost, of Reading, Massachusetts. Make no mistake though: while labeled Massachusetts it is a Connecticut clock at its heart. Daniel Pratt, Jr. (1797-1874) and Jonathan Frost (1798-1881) formed a partnership in 1832; they dissolved the partnership and business in 1835. Interestingly, although Pratt used "Junior" after his name, his father was named David. He said that he added the generation to distinguish himself from other "Daniel Pratt's" in Reading! I have not found any information about the source of their cases, and the possibility exists that they were made locally in Massachusetts. However, the movements were purchased from Chauncey Boardman (of Connecticut), and the one in this clock is a classic 30 hour Boardman "groaner" movement. The case is a little different from the standard wooden works "half-column and splat" case in that the columns are slightly more ornate, and the splat is a slight variation on the "Jester Top." It has been refinished. Considering the shape of the columns, and that Pratt is said to have preferred nice veneer, this clock may never have had stenciling. This clock measures approximately 37 X 16.5 X 6 inches. The mirror in the lower glass is definitely period and may be original. However, its backing appears to be a thin piece of Masonite instead of a thin piece of wood. That may mean that the original wood was lost or had deteriorated beyond usefulness, or the mirror may be period but a more recent replacement. The hands, dial, pendulum bob, and weights are all original. The label is in readable condition though with some losses. The movement has been restrung within the past few years, and is clean, so all I did was to lubricate it in appropriate places. It is presently running and striking nicely. For safety, the weights will be shipped in a separate box at no additional charge. Though presently working, please note I sell all electrical and mechanical devices in "AS-IS" condition as they can easily get out of adjustment or even broken in transit. On top of that, I have read that when new, these wooden movements were expected to have a 20 year life expectancy--yet here we are, nearly 200 years later! You still have a 30 day inspection period during which the item can be returned or any reason--however it must be returned in the same condition in which I shipped it, meaning if there is damage, an insurance claim must be made. Please ask questions and study the photos carefully, as they are part of the description. By the way, for safety, the weights will be shipped in a separate box at no additional charge to you. Should there be a problem with your purchase, please contact me directly through the eBay mail system. I can and will do the same things directly that I would through eBay, and probably more quickly. NO RESERVE! MY PLEDGE TO YOU: no surprises! I will provide high-resolution scans; I will fully describe each item, obverse and reverse, positives and negatives, possibilities, likelihoods, what I suspect, and which is which; and I will provide as much historical context as I can. Now, I believe that the only people who never make mistakes are those who never say or do anything, so consequently, there will be times I am wrong. There, you are covered by my guarantee. MY GUARANTEE TO YOU: I guarantee each item to be genuine as described. After you receive your purchase, you will have a 30 day inspection period; and if you are dissatisfied for any reason, simply return the item (in its original condition) for an immediate refund of your purchase price. Furthermore, if in the inspection period, you decide to send the item for expertizing, I will extend the period until its return from the expert of your choice. If it returns with an opinion of not genuine, or of being significantly different from how I describe it, I will also reimburse you for the expertizing fee. And the ONLY exception to my guarantee is that I am not responsible for mishandling by the mail system, and any damages incurred therein. That is what insurance is for, and it is automatic on this item. Pictures sell!Auctiva offers Free Image Hosting and Editing.300+ Listing Templates Auctiva gets you noticed!The complete eBay Selling Solution. Track Page Views WithAuctiva's Counter (Condition: Pre-Owned)