Antique Clocks

Antique Clocks never seem to lose their market, it fluctuates and it trends to different style and makers but it always retains a market share. However, the clock repairman is becoming a rarity. The finesse and detail and patience it takes to repair clocks is not compatible with the busy lifestyle of this generation. It can takes weeks of working with little pieces and small tools and lots of redo's to fix a clock. The works must be in balance to run properly and keep time. This tradition is handed down from generation to generation and with the quartz movement and the price of watches, it is a dying trade.

Over the centuries there have been many good clock makers, and many beautiful marriages of artists and clocks. My favorite are Bronze French mantle clocks. They are so whimsical and such a commanding exposition of overdone art and function. Some of them sell for $10,000 and I prefer nice things of value. 

Wooden mantle clocks run from $50 to over $1000, generally, with some exceptions. The key with mantle clocks is the key. Look for the key, working is better than not working, although not working has it's market too.

I sold an Ansonia mantle Clock on ebay for about $250. 

The Ansonia Clock Company was one of the major 19th century American clock manufacturers. It produced millions of clocks in the period between 1850 and 1929.

They were located in new York and are trendy currently among collectors.

About 3 months after that sale, I was at a garage sale of an estate, in a garage (sometimes they are not) and there on the top shelf was an old mantle clock, wooden, I asked to see it. They said it was trashed but brought it down for me to view. It was old wood with a broken door that had been duct taped together. It was dusty and dirty and obviously bad shape but I though maybe somebody could use it for parts so I asked their price, paid it and brought it home. It sat on my shelf for a few months untouched and then one day I brought it out undusted a little and had a look inside the poorly taped together back. It was also an Ansonia. I was mildly excited as it meant it was fairly old. I cleaned some more and there on the bottom, much to my surprise,  taped was the key.  It had two places to wind, one for the chimes and one for the clock, I wound both , nothing. Slightly disappointed I continued to clean it up. Cleaning revealed a beautiful face with Roman numerals, I moved it slightly to get under the hands which were very ornate and the pendulum slid out from under the works, excited I attached it to the works, I gave it a start, it ran for about 30 seconds and then quit. 

For years I have sold clocks online and wondered at the customers that bought them and repaired them. Where did they get the patience to work for hours or days on the small components for a so little profit. In the  30 seconds that old clock ran, I think I understood. The excitement of seeing how something so complicated and so old could come to be in that era and the significance of tracking the time passing and to have it still work at least 150 years later. I get it. 

Much respect to the clockmaker.