The name seth thomas is symbolic of value and excellence of craft, as a result of the variety of sophisticated styles it has produced since 18. Antique seth thomas clocksparticularly wall clocks and mantel clocksare treasured by clock collectors and. Its been very interesting learning things about this clock. Some time ago a repairman sprayed the base with copper color paint and then antiqued it with some fine black spray. Antique seth thomas eight day weight day clock for repair or parts, 1800s.
He started in the clock business in 1807, working for clockmaker eli terry. Carriage stye case with metal front and round dial. Antique seth thomas oak kitchen clock with nice label and date. Afterward, seth thomas expanded its production line to include a wide variety of wall and mantel clocks. By 1860 the company was producing 40,000 clocks annually. The clock is marked seth thomas to the face and is presented in its original box. I think the second best invention was the snooze button. Thomas clock company, founded by seth thomas in 18. History of antique seth thomas 30 hour brass movement weight. Seth thomas started making 30 hour weight driven clocks with brass movements. Seth thomas small alarm clock germany collectors weekly my mother had this and is not sure who gave it to her, nor did she know anything about it. Discussion in your newest clock acquisition started by jay fortner, feb 26, 2011.
This mechanical, handwound clock had an alarmmechanism that could be set to. In the late 1870s, small alarm clocks gain popularity, and the major us clock companies started making them. Get the best deals on collectible alarm clocks 1930 1969. Historical information about westclox and western clock company clocks and watches, seth thomas weight clocks and adamantine clocks, and early telechron and warren clock company clocks and motors and standard electric time company clocks. How to date a seth thomas mantel clock our pastimes. It came both as an electric clock churchill e, i guess and as a 40. Seth thomas was born in wolcott, connecticut in 1785, the fifth of seven children of scottish immigrant, james thomas, a cooper, and his wife maria ward.
Seth thomas mantel clocks information our pastimes. Seth thomas wall clocks enjoy a history that began in 1810 when seth thomas bought eli terrys factory through today and the alliance time company, which acquired the entire inventory in 2009. We specialize in antique and vintage artwork, books, collectibles, furniture, musical. As a clock collector, any seth thomas clock catches my eye. Browse the best of ebay, connect with other collectors, and explore the history behind your favorite finds. There is some loss of nickel plating here and there. As the longest established clock maker in the united states nearly 200 years, seth thomas is recognized as one of the most respected brands of clocks in the world. Without an alarm clock, people would miss important appointments, be late for work, and late for school. There is often a notched cam rotating every 12 or 24 hours. From 1853 to 1865, the seth thomas clock company operated in plymouth hollow. The book early english clocks by dawson, drover and parkes, antique collectors. Jan 8, 20 old 1800s antique seth thomas 8 day column mantle shelf clock lyre movement ebay.
A lever falls into the notch, releasing a gear train that drives a hammer which repeatedly hits a bell. How to fix seth thomas grandfather clocks our pastimes. However, seth thomas clock company was granted a patent in 1876 because of a small alarm clock. Here is a seth thomas antique oak kitchen clock that came into my shop. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on alarm clock, including when used in literature e. The alarm may ring until the weight or spring runs down, or there may be a shutoff switch. Seth thomas was born august 19, 1785 in wolcott, connecticut. Get the best deals on seth thomas quartz battery powered wall clocks when you shop the largest online selection at. Seth thomas style 1 30 hour half column shelf clock.
Ancient greeks invented alarm clocks ancient pages. An alarm clock or sometimes just an alarm is a clock that is designed to alert an individual or group of individuals at a specified time. Many probably have no idea what the history of the alarm clock is. The first mechanical alarm clock was invented by levi hutchins of concord, new hampshire, in 1787.
Seth thomas art deco clock indiana collectible alarm clocks 1930 1969 vintage westclox. Early seth thomas 8 day t, s and alarm mantle clock. Seth thomas germany alarm clock book case design scroll. Seth thomas small alarm clock germany collectors weekly. In 1853, thomas incorporated his business as the seth thomas clock company. Thomas died in 1859, and plymouth hollow was renamed thomaston in his honor in 1865. Dating a seth thomas wall clock is a lesson in time itself. Famed american clockmaker seth thomas continued the companys design eclecticism into its line of electric alarm clocks. Seth thomas poise1 electric alarm clock, dated 1977. Seth thomas 1785 1859 was an american clockmaker and a pioneer of mass production at his seth thomas clock company. The seth thomas clock company was very prosperous into the 20th century and was. Tran duy lys st book shows the churchill from the 1962 catalogue. Seth thomas art deco clock indiana collectible alarm clocks. But, plato 428348 bce, a greek philosopher constructed his own version of an alarm clock with vessels much ahead of ctesibius.
Clocks ive repaired and comments on westclox history. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Unfollow clocks seth thomas to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Aug 17, 2010 websters bibliographic and eventbased timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. Todays arrivals this weeks arrivals shop directory new shops todays featured shops all items. Seth thomas must have sold many clocks in the lafayette, indiana area, for out of. Money back guarantee ensures you receive the item you ordered or get your money back. The story of the seth thomas clock company is indeed an american success story. Another alarm clock makes the bed bounce when its time to wake. Seth thomas adamantine clock history the clock depot. We serve cookies our website uses cookies, which help us to improve our site and enables us to deliver the best possible service and customer experience, as well as to provide social media features. Brief history of the alarm clock starting from its earliest days.
Jul 14, 2010 i have a seth thomas adamantine mantel clock. Antique seth thomas clocksparticularly wall clocks and mantel clocksare treasured by clock. At that time seth thomas sold out his share of the company to hoadley, and went into business on his own in plymouth hollow. That was when clocks made to sound an alarm at a certain time were first made. For your consideration is an antique seth thomas adamantine mantel clock that has been in my family for many years, my mother lovingly cared for the clock and it still worked while it was in our home.
It was the first clock of this type, and other makers were also working on this idea at the same time. I think that levi hutchins invention, the alarm clock, is the best invention because it lead to later developments that allowed people to get up at the times they wanted. According to one 19th century biography of thomas, his advantages for education were very meagre, consisting of a very few days attendance. The clockmaker levi hutchins of concord, new hampshire, invented an alarm clock in 1787. This nonprofit, private museum operates as a federal corporation dedicated to preserving and promoting the products and history of canadas many clock. Plato was said to have an alarm clock, which was homemade out of a water clock, thought to wake him up for his lectures in the square. The alarm clock only rang at 4 oclock in the morning. Redorange catalin plastic cased windup alarm clock with baby ben movement. Find best value and selection for your old 1800s antique seth thomas 8 day column mantle shelf clock lyre movement search on ebay. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. It came both as an electric clock churchill e, i guess and as a 40hour windup. Thomas company was soon producing twenty thousand brass clocks annually. Thomas was very conservative, and after his death many new styles of clocks were introduced by his sons. Brief history of the seth thomas clock company and the antique clocks they made.
In the 1880s, the seth thomas clock company employed about 825 people. The seth thomas clock company was founded by seth thomas and began producing clocks in 18. He was apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner, and worked building houses and barns. The disc in the middle of the dial is for setting the alarm time, turn the disc so. Get the best deals on seth thomas quartz battery powered wall clocks when you. This model ss12al electric alarm clock made by seth thomas features a lighted white dial with roman numerals set in a wood frame with red velvet surrounding the clock and brass tone feet. Although they might seem like a modern invention, the truth is that alarm clocks were invented a long time ago, by ancient greeks.
Featuring bold colors and a delightful thomasthemed design, this alarm clock stands 6 tall. Seth thomas clock company was one of the most prolific and long lived clock companies. Seth thomas, born 1785, was an amateur clockmaker who began his career in earnest when. Seth thomas mantel clocks are one brand of antique clock highly sought by many collectors.
History of antique seth thomas thirty hour brass movement weight driven clocks. From 1806 to 1853, the company produced thousands of the mechanical clocks. The seth thomas clock company was organized as a joint stock corporation on may 3, 1853 to succeed the earlier clock making operation of the founder. Seth thomas germany alarm clock, brass book case design, etched and ridged accents, pearlized clock face, wind up alarm clock beautiful brass seth. Youll never be late to the station with this trusty batteryoperated thomas alarm clock. Seth thomas 1930s tan catalin, springdriven alarm clock. So im guessing that it has to be from at least there on forward. Websters bibliographic and eventbased timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. However, the ringing bell alarm on his clock could ring only at 4 am.
The white dial with brass bezel is surrounded by a square clear plastic case. Clock collecting is a hobby of many antique lovers, and some prefer to acquire pieces made by one specific company or that are one specific style. Seth thomas quartz battery powered wall clocks for sale ebay. Thomas got in on the action in 1876, patenting his own. Travel alarm in collectible alarm clocks 1930 1969. Seth thomas clock history national clock repair new hope. The alarm clock that we know today was first made in 1876. It was incorporated as the seth thomas clock company in 1853. The seth thomas clock company was organized as a joint stock corporation on may 3, 1853 to succeed the earlier clockmaking operation of the founder. A late 20th century reproduction of a seth thomas violin clock, using an antique seth thomas 8day movement and pendulum. The basic idea of an alarm clock can be traced to ctesibius, an ancient greek engineer, physicist and mathematician who lived in in alexandria, ptolemaic egypt.
They are all well made quality clocks, and are rapidly increasing in value. Thomas got in on the action in 1876, patenting his own version. The first modern alarm clock, one which an individual could own, which would both tell time, and set off an alarm which could be adjusted to any time at all, was not invented until the 1870s. August 19, 1785 seth thomas is born to james and martha thomas in the town of wolcott, connecticut, located in area known of western connecticut known for its many manufacturers of wooden clock movements. Thomas, a connecticut carpenter who became a clockmaker, patented the first mechanical alarm clock, a windup model, that people were able to set for any time of the day or night. Seth thomas must have sold many clocks in the lafayette, indiana area, for out of all the antique clocks we repair, about 40% are made by seth thomas. York shown in tran duy lys book seth thomas clocks and movements, but the base. Between 1872 and 1927, seth thomas was one of the major producers of tower clocks, not only in the united states, but also worldwide. Carriage style case with metal front and round dial.
Seth thomas clocks discover clocks, for clock collectors. Ancient alarm clock used by the egyptians was made by a greek engineer, physicist and mathematician ctesibius 285222 bce who lived in alexandria, ptolemaic egypt. Seth thomas clock company history antique clocks guy. The quality of their products was always maintained at an above average level. Flip clock in collectible alarm clocks 1930 1969 seiko travel clock. If your child has a tough time hearing the alarm clock, the thomas alarm clock may be the ideal solution.
The seth thomas electric shelf clock is 6 across, by 5 tall, by 3 wide. Clock history 166 kundo 400 day clock history 10 schatz 400 day clock history 57 seth thomas clock history 39 westclox history 24 clock operation and care 15 clock repair 416 400 day clock repair 108 american clock mainsprings 116 american clock repair 156 westclox repair 5 hermle clocks 5 wordpress 12 contact me. Although thomas himself died in 1859, the company bearing his name produced the first practical, massproduced alarmclock in 1876. The alarm attachment to a clock is a simple concept. These come in all levels of quality, and this one rates about a 6 out of 10, and doesnt look so bad. The primary function of these clocks is to awaken people from their nights sleep or short naps. Ancient alarm clock invented by plato 4th century bce. The best deals on alarm, cuckoo, black forest, grandfather, other antique clocks, shelf, mantel, wall. Plymouth by seth thomas small wooden wall clock, ca. Thomas, a connecticut carpenter who became a clock maker, patented the first mechanical alarm clock, a windup model, that people were able to set for any time of the day or night. I started reading about seth thomas clocks and the information i got back said it wasnt thomaston, conn until 1865. Otherwise this is an interesting example of this model, especially since it retains the original paper dial with the name of the retailer. Seth thomas 17851859 had been manufacturing clocks at the site since 1814. Rare antique farcot figural cockerel alarm mantle clock.
Clock historians disagree about the origin of the first digital alarm clock. Antique seth thomas adamantine mantel clock 1902 description. After thomas death in 1859, his three sonsaaron, edward, and seth juniorcarried on the business, creating many new models of springdriven clocks. It is probably the longest produced clock model in history and is still considered highly collectible. After thomas death in 1859, his three sonsaaron, edward, and seth juniorcarried on the business, creating many new models.
Old 1800s antique seth thomas 8 day column mantle shelf clock. He invented his device so that he would never sleep past his usual waking time. Plato was said to have an alarm clock, which was homemade out of a water clock. Thomas incorporated the seth thomas clock company, so that the business would outlive him. The history of the alarm clock is rumored to be in existence as far back as the times of the ancient greece. The book was greatly commended for many reasons, none more important than being the first real comprehensive guide to the identification and values of most seth thomas clocks manufactured during the firms. Book on seth thomas cottage clocks, by owen burt, pb, new old stock. Featuring bold colors and a delightful thomas themed design, this alarm clock stands 6 tall. Seth thomas was one of the most famous makers of grandfather clocks.
211 929 307 420 667 1063 986 475 414 141 851 1381 1130 910 1043 98 1447 583 291 1418 528 645 851 1295 641 505 1543 509 486 1048 129 144 210 257 81 1049 494 410 130 812 354 1166