Ansonia Swing Clock: The swing clocks were originally designed as "attention getters" for store window displays. Today, they are very desirable collector pieces. The clocks with square gilt and nickel cases were of an early make, probably originating around the late 19th century. The round cases were made later. Beautifully made, these exquisite decorator or conversation pieces, are either in collections, destroyed, or lost, because you will seldom see one for sale.
The French also made swingers, but they were usually bigger, and more expensive.
Be careful of reproduction of the German Junghans, a small swinger. They are not worth very much, and any time a clock is reproduced, it hurts the value of the original model.
Banjo Clock: Similar to a banjo in shape, the clock''s sloping sides and retangular base offer symmetrical and visually pleasing lines. An american clock maker, Simon Willard, created the banjo design around 1800, calling it his "improved clock." Extremely American in its'' design, it was made in large numbers and became popular with railway companies as station timekeepers.
Willard''s design was copied by several other clockmakers, not all of them licensed, and the situation became worse after his patent ran out. The Banjo Clock is much sought after by collectors today, but buyers must be cautioned of discrepancies in determining the actual orgin of the manufacturer.
Black Onyx: These clocks should go much higher in price. They are sleepers and are sold low because most collectors do not know what it is. Imitation marble should go lower, but sells well. Marble has always had a following but black onyx clocks are just starting to be collected. Look for sharp upward price trends here. Black wood will have its day later.
Calendar Clock: A calendar Clock shows the date, occasionally the month, and even the day of the week. Many have to be adjusted at the end of the months with fewer than 31 days. The perpetual calendar clock will make this correction itself. At midnight, every 24 hours, a pin on a wheel turns once, putting the mechanism into operation.
Car Clock: Car Clocks probably present one of the greatest shortterm investment opportunties that the clock collector can find today. Consider the following:
1. Car clocks are collected by clock collectors.
2. Car clocks are collected by watch collectors.
3. Car clocks are collected by antique car buffs.
Considering this, how long will the present bountiful supply last? Car clocks were produced by both the clock companies and the watch companies. They represent most of the 8-day movements produced by the watch companies, and these all have serial numbers. Most car clocks produced by watch companies were jeweled movements, from 4 to 15 jewels. Some clock companies produced both jeweled and non-jeweled movements. There seems to have been no serious research to determine the types of quanties manufactured; therefore, you must rely on experience and price books to help recognize the rare models.
Car clocks are priced at probably the lowest multiple of original price of any clock available today. In this category the Swiss movements are selling at prices compareable to the American, but will probably not increase as much in the future unless they have a well-known American name on the dial, such as Bailey, Banks & Biddle.
The antique car buffs particularly look for the car clocks that have auto names on the dial, such as Hudson, Oldsmobile, Ford, etc. Therefore, these original dials often double or triple the value. These collectors also desire the large, heavy, brass cases, and the mounting accessories. They also look for the bezel wind and the pull cord wind, and also the mirror mounted clocks.
The watch collectors seem to prefer the highest jewled and short movements. The clock collectors seem to prefer the models produced by the well-known clock manufacturers, such as Seth Thomas, Waterbury, New Haven, Ingraham, etc.
All collectors seem to prefer 8-day models. Features such as alarms, winding indicators, sweep second hands and small second hands, unusual winding, setting or mounting, or other unusual features, all seem to increase the value. A winding indicator is rare and will double or triple the value.
Carriage Clock: Carriage clocks have become extremely collectible. The value of these clocks depend on so many intricate details it would be impossible to include them in this section. For example, a Grand Sonnerie (full quarter striking and repeating) carriage clock in a very simple case would be priced between $1400 to $1800, but the very same movement in a very ornate case with enamel work or porcelain panels could sell for $3000 to $6000. There are also minature carriage clocks that sell for $300 for a simple timepiece up to several thousand dollars for a miniature ornate repeater.
When purchasing carriage clocks, you should seek the advice of dealers who specialize not only in the sale of such clocks but are also experts in the repair and restoration because they will be able to judge the authenticity of the item. It should also be noted that there are excellent reproductions being reproduced in Europe including repeaters, and miniatures. We have also come across old carriage clocks with reproduction porcelain panels that are very well done and could fool the average collector.
Crystal Regulator: If glass is not mint and matched in color and thickness, the value is reduced accordingly.
For original real mercury pendulum, add $20.00 to $25.00.
If priced with visible escapement, subtract $50.00 if without. If priced without visible escapement, add $50.00 if the clock has this feature. Dials must be mint. Reduce value if porcelain is cracked, chipped, or numbers faded. Note gold plating on many models. Value is reduced if plating is worn or peeling.
Many of these were supplied with jewelers'' sales company names on the dial. Some of these companies became as famous and wellknown as the manufacturers, and their names increase the value of the clock. This is especially true with imported clocks that have an American name on the dial. (Example: Bailey, Banks & Biddle)
Unusual wood, stone or pewter trim adds considerable to the value. There are a few rare crystal regulators in existence that were manufactured by companies that were in business only a short time. These command premium prices from the collectors when they appear. (Example Jennings Bros.)
Cuckoo Clock: The imported cuckoo clocks have not been extremely popular due to the difficulty of identifying and determining the age of these clocks. These prices are based on the approximate age as shown by the date of the catalog.
American clocks are approximately twice the value of the imported ones, and are much desired by collectors.
The very small, so-called cuckoo clocks without the bellows, do not sell well, and usually go under $10.00. The 3-Weight clocks are the most desired by collectors, and the fancier the animation the higher the price. The quarter-hour strike and the musical clocks are also much desired, and go at higher prices.
The 8-Day verions are rare, but are easily identified by the large weights. These are the most sought after. An 8-Day, 3-Weight, fancy carving with animation brings a high price.
Remember, many of these models are still made today. If you cannot verify the age of the clock, reduce the price accordingly.
Modern cuckoo clocks can be purchased at discount houses from $30.00 to $150.00 and used ones are worth somewhat less. If you cannot verify that it is more than 50 years old, buy or sell it as a used modern clock. If you find an early cuckoo made before 1800, it is a real collector''s item (maybe a museum piece), and will be valued accordingly. Age and complexity are the greatest valu-producing elements in that order, with fancy carvings and size being the next most important elements.
Decorator Clock(Housewife): Clocks offered for sale by the antique shops will usually be priced higher and will bring more money here than they will anywhere else. Buyers of these clocks are not usually collectors but only want one or two for use as decorator items and conversation pieces and will pay according to their desire. Some of the most common(and a lot of times very recently made clocks) will bring very high prices. Almost no type of clock escapes this kind of buyer. This one of the reasons the beautiful statue clocks of French and American make are now bringing in so much money.
Decorator Clock(Office or Museum): Beautiful hanging wall or standing clocks will occasionally bring enormous prices, far exceeding the ones shown in this article. Here are some of the reasons. An important businessman may want a certain clock for his home or office. His time being very important to him, he will not want to wait and search for a good buy. The purchase price usually can be written off his taxes, therefore allowing him to pay much more than a collector would pay.
Museums who charge admissions and whose purchases are tax deductible can pay more for the same reasons. Examples would be most of the E. Howard Banjos and Regulators and the more ornate Jeweler''s and Parlor Regulators of all makes. Dealers and collectors should be watching for these situations because a few extra dollars can be picked up this way.
Decorated Porcelain Clock: Must be mint and original. Value is reduced if porcelain is cracked, chipped, or retouched. Beware of reproductions.
Three piece sets consisting of clock and candelabrum or vases command the highest prices. Some of the vases were reverse painted from the inside. These are rare and good collector items.
Most dials were porcelain. Subtract $25.00 to $50.00 normally if dial is paper. Reduce the value if dial is cracked, chipped, or faded. If priced with porcelain dial, add $50.00 for visible escapement or $15.00 for fancy dial. Porcelain clocks designated as Royal Bonn usually command somewhat higher prices. Subtract $15.00 if bezel does not have beveled glass.
Grandfather Clock: Once called "Long, Tall Case," or even "Coffin Clocks," the Grandfather Clock is probably the most well known of timekeeping collectibles. Invented in London around 1660, the Long Case or Grandfather Clock was the first household item to be successfully mass produced by an American clockmaker, (Eli Terry), The earliest surviving model, however, was made by Abel Cottey in the early 18th century. It is reputed that the name "grandfather" originated for the tall case clock from a song written by Henry Clay in 1876 which began with the lyrics, "My grandfather''s clock was too tall for the shelf..." Grandmother clocks are similar design, but stand under six feet in height.
Howard Hall Clock: These clocks are very scarce, if not downright rare. For this reason there are not enough sales to establish any kind of a price range. A good rule of thumb, in determining the value of a Howard Hall Clock, is to multiply their original cost 10 to 12 times.
The clocks of this type, are rarely shown publicly, because of the difficultly in transporting them, and also because they are rarely for sale. The clocks were, for the most part, custom made with variants as to case, style, wood, dial, and most importantly, movement. We have never talked to anyone who has seen any hall clocks of an identical, or even very similar make.
Due to their size, not many modern houses will accommodate them, and this factor limits the market somewhat. On the other hand, they are so desirable to many collectors that, if given a chance to buy one, they would putting it in storage until they could alter their home or office.
Iron clock: The first generally known household timekeepers, iron clocks were originally made by blacksmiths and locksmiths. In some geographic areas it became popular to fit unusual wooded cases around the clocks, and to place them on wooden wall fixtures.
Lantern Clock: A weight driven clock, with a lantern shaped brass case, the lantern clock originated in England, and was made for about 100 years after the early part of the 17th century. The name of the clock may originate from a mispronunciation of "latten" meaning brass, although the earliest clocks of this design sold during or before 1600 were made of iron.
Lighthouse clock: The American inventor of the popular Banjo Clock, Simon Willard, is also responsible for the ornate, tall, table clock shaped like a lighthouse with a wooden base and glass shade on top. Some of these lighthouses or "lamphouse" clocks were made in France during the 19th century. Willards'' version was unique in that he designed his as an alarm, where a special device tapped the top of the wooden case, instead of ringing an alarm. Sales were not too successful at the time. The French have some models with a clock dial that turns underneath the rounded glass arch.
Mantel clock: It is said that the smaller "grandmother clock" clock, inspired the trend towards the handy, easily transportable mantel clocks. As their name implies, they are intended for the mantelpiece.
Musical clock: A revolving pin barrel operates the bell hammers, affecting this magnificent clock to play tunes at the hour, or at any one time. One of the earliest late 16th century British designs had 13 bells. In the 18th century, David Rittenhouse made a musical clock in Philadelphia that played ten tunes on 15 bells. It sold at the time for under $700.00
Regulator clock: Generally refers to a very precise, plain cased clock, with a long pendulum and no strike. A regulator made in the mid 18th century was utilized by Captain Cook on two of his sea voyages, but was used on land with other instruments to check their longitude.
School house, Round Drop, Drop Octagon: Prices have accelerated over the years rather rapidly until thay exceed the amount people are willing to pay. Clock dealers are not quite ready to reduce to a point where they will sell readily. At the present time not many of these clocks are moving amoung knowledgeable buyers at the values they seek. Two other factors causing the value to drop, may be th importing of old Japanese clocks and prolific current reproduction.
Statue clock: Production figures for statue clocks are unknown; therefore, the only criterion for rarity is experience, which varies with each collector. The price collectors will pay for a certain statue will sometimes vary considerably, however, certain preferences are evident. The double statue clocks are the most desired. Standing statue clocks are sought ahead of the sitting statue. The visible escapement and fancy dials certainly increase the value. Generally, the larger the size the greater the price. Condition is everything.
Certain Ansonia statues are very well-known, and although not as rare as others, command higher prices since every collector wants one. Some collectors desire the three piece sets and will pay a premium for the complete set. The price trend for all statues has been a sharp rise for the last four years.
