The book early english clocks by dawson, drover and parkes, antique collectors. 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. Jul 14, 2010 i have a seth thomas adamantine mantel clock. Although thomas himself died in 1859, the company bearing his name produced the first practical, massproduced alarmclock in 1876. After thomas death in 1859, his three sonsaaron, edward, and seth juniorcarried on the business, creating many new models. At that time seth thomas sold out his share of the company to hoadley, and went into business on his own in plymouth hollow. 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. 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. Carriage style case with metal front and round dial. Dating a seth thomas wall clock is a lesson in time itself. Antique seth thomas adamantine mantel clock 1902 description. Seth thomas must have sold many clocks in the lafayette, indiana area, for out of. Without an alarm clock, people would miss important appointments, be late for work, and late for school. Many probably have no idea what the history of the alarm clock is.
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. Seth thomas 1785 1859 was an american clockmaker and a pioneer of mass production at his seth thomas clock company. Although they might seem like a modern invention, the truth is that alarm clocks were invented a long time ago, by ancient greeks. Some time ago a repairman sprayed the base with copper color paint and then antiqued it with some fine black spray. Brief history of the seth thomas clock company and the antique clocks they made. Unfollow clocks seth thomas to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Seth thomas started making 30 hour weight driven clocks with brass movements. 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. Thomas got in on the action in 1876, patenting his own. Seth thomas 1930s tan catalin, springdriven alarm clock. 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. There is some loss of nickel plating here and there. Get the best deals on seth thomas quartz battery powered wall clocks when you shop the largest online selection at. Featuring bold colors and a delightful thomasthemed design, this alarm clock stands 6 tall.
Seth thomas was one of the most famous makers of grandfather clocks. Seth thomas adamantine clock history the clock depot. Seth thomas, born 1785, was an amateur clockmaker who began his career in earnest when. Afterward, seth thomas expanded its production line to include a wide variety of wall and mantel clocks. But, plato 428348 bce, a greek philosopher constructed his own version of an alarm clock with vessels much ahead of ctesibius. The clock is marked seth thomas to the face and is presented in its original box. 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. The white dial with brass bezel is surrounded by a square clear plastic case. Seth thomas mantel clocks are one brand of antique clock highly sought by many collectors. Seth thomas germany alarm clock book case design scroll. I started reading about seth thomas clocks and the information i got back said it wasnt thomaston, conn until 1865.
Clock historians disagree about the origin of the first digital alarm clock. 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. Clocks ive repaired and comments on westclox history. As a clock collector, any seth thomas clock catches my eye. Discussion in your newest clock acquisition started by jay fortner, feb 26, 2011. Thomas died in 1859, and plymouth hollow was renamed thomaston in his honor in 1865. Seth thomas art deco clock indiana collectible alarm clocks. The first mechanical alarm clock was invented by levi hutchins of concord, new hampshire, in 1787. The clockmaker levi hutchins of concord, new hampshire, invented an alarm clock in 1787. It came both as an electric clock churchill e, i guess and as a 40. Flip clock in collectible alarm clocks 1930 1969 seiko travel clock. The alarm attachment to a clock is a simple concept.
Thomas was very conservative, and after his death many new styles of clocks were introduced by his sons. A lever falls into the notch, releasing a gear train that drives a hammer which repeatedly hits a bell. The alarm clock only rang at 4 oclock in the morning. Here is a seth thomas antique oak kitchen clock that came into my shop. Jan 8, 20 old 1800s antique seth thomas 8 day column mantle shelf clock lyre movement ebay. The alarm may ring until the weight or spring runs down, or there may be a shutoff switch. How to fix seth thomas grandfather clocks our pastimes. Brief history of the alarm clock starting from its earliest days. Another alarm clock makes the bed bounce when its time to wake. September 15, 2019 september 15, 2019 bill stoddard. From 1806 to 1853, the company produced thousands of the mechanical clocks. 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. Youll never be late to the station with this trusty batteryoperated thomas alarm clock. So im guessing that it has to be from at least there on forward.
Plato was said to have an alarm clock, which was homemade out of a water clock. This mechanical, handwound clock had an alarmmechanism that could be set to. 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. Thomas company was soon producing twenty thousand brass clocks annually. The seth thomas clock company was founded by seth thomas and began producing clocks in 18. Plymouth by seth thomas small wooden wall clock, ca. From 1853 to 1865, the seth thomas clock company operated in plymouth hollow. I think the second best invention was the snooze button. Seth thomas small alarm clock germany collectors weekly. The quality of their products was always maintained at an above average level. 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 germany alarm clock, brass book case design, etched and ridged accents, pearlized clock face, wind up alarm clock beautiful brass seth.
Old 1800s antique seth thomas 8 day column mantle shelf clock. He started in the clock business in 1807, working for clockmaker eli terry. Seth thomas art deco clock indiana collectible alarm clocks 1930 1969 vintage westclox. Its been very interesting learning things about this clock. Antique seth thomas clocksparticularly wall clocks and mantel clocksare treasured by clock. 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. The primary function of these clocks is to awaken people from their nights sleep or short naps. The alarm clock that we know today was first made in 1876. How to date a seth thomas mantel clock our pastimes. However, the ringing bell alarm on his clock could ring only at 4 am. 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.
Ancient alarm clock invented by plato 4th century bce. 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. He was apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner, and worked building houses and barns. 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. Travel alarm in collectible alarm clocks 1930 1969. Find best value and selection for your old 1800s antique seth thomas 8 day column mantle shelf clock lyre movement search on ebay. Seth thomas clocks discover clocks, for clock collectors.
The seth thomas electric shelf clock is 6 across, by 5 tall, by 3 wide. Seth thomas mantel clocks information our pastimes. Money back guarantee ensures you receive the item you ordered or get your money back. Tran duy lys st book shows the churchill from the 1962 catalogue. Get the best deals on seth thomas quartz battery powered wall clocks when you. Aug 17, 2010 websters bibliographic and eventbased timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people.
Antique seth thomas clocksparticularly wall clocks and mantel clocksare treasured by clock collectors and. Seth thomas 17851859 had been manufacturing clocks at the site since 1814. 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. 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. It came both as an electric clock churchill e, i guess and as a 40hour windup.
In the late 1870s, small alarm clocks gain popularity, and the major us clock companies started making them. Ancient greeks invented alarm clocks ancient pages. The disc in the middle of the dial is for setting the alarm time, turn the disc so. 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. 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. History of antique seth thomas 30 hour brass movement weight. They are all well made quality clocks, and are rapidly increasing in value. However, seth thomas clock company was granted a patent in 1876 because of a small alarm clock. Seth thomas style 1 30 hour half column shelf clock. By 1860 the company was producing 40,000 clocks annually. 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.
Carriage stye case with metal front and round dial. Book on seth thomas cottage clocks, by owen burt, pb, new old stock. That was when clocks made to sound an alarm at a certain time were first made. History of antique seth thomas thirty hour brass movement weight driven clocks. Thomas clock company, founded by seth thomas in 18. Browse the best of ebay, connect with other collectors, and explore the history behind your favorite finds. York shown in tran duy lys book seth thomas clocks and movements, but the base. Seth thomas clock history national clock repair new hope. Thomas got in on the action in 1876, patenting his own version. 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 seth thomas clock company was very prosperous into the 20th century and was. There is often a notched cam rotating every 12 or 24 hours. 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 clock making operation of the founder.
After thomas death in 1859, his three sonsaaron, edward, and seth juniorcarried on the business, creating many new models of springdriven clocks. A late 20th century reproduction of a seth thomas violin clock, using an antique seth thomas 8day movement and pendulum. Seth thomas poise1 electric alarm clock, dated 1977. Seth thomas was born august 19, 1785 in wolcott, connecticut. This nonprofit, private museum operates as a federal corporation dedicated to preserving and promoting the products and history of canadas many clock. Rare antique farcot figural cockerel alarm mantle clock. Seth thomas clock company history antique clocks guy. Seth thomas quartz battery powered wall clocks for sale ebay. Seth thomas clock company was one of the most prolific and long lived clock companies. He invented his device so that he would never sleep past his usual waking time. These come in all levels of quality, and this one rates about a 6 out of 10, and doesnt look so bad. 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. Between 1872 and 1927, seth thomas was one of the major producers of tower clocks, not only in the united states, but also worldwide. It was the first clock of this type, and other makers were also working on this idea at the same time.
Otherwise this is an interesting example of this model, especially since it retains the original paper dial with the name of the retailer. Plymouth hollow, connecticut after 1865 thomaston, connecticut. Antique seth thomas eight day weight day clock for repair or parts, 1800s. We specialize in antique and vintage artwork, books, collectibles, furniture, musical. Famed american clockmaker seth thomas continued the companys design eclecticism into its line of electric alarm clocks.
If your child has a tough time hearing the alarm clock, the thomas alarm clock may be the ideal solution. 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. 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. Thomas incorporated the seth thomas clock company, so that the business would outlive him. The story of the seth thomas clock company is indeed an american success story. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Get the best deals on collectible alarm clocks 1930 1969. According to one 19th century biography of thomas, his advantages for education were very meagre, consisting of a very few days attendance. Todays arrivals this weeks arrivals shop directory new shops todays featured shops all items. 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. Websters bibliographic and eventbased timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. Early seth thomas 8 day t, s and alarm mantle clock. The history of the alarm clock is rumored to be in existence as far back as the times of the ancient greece. It is probably the longest produced clock model in history and is still considered highly collectible.
The company stopped making grandfather clocks approximately 20 years. Antique seth thomas oak kitchen clock with nice label and date. In 1853, thomas incorporated his business as the seth thomas clock company. Featuring bold colors and a delightful thomas themed design, this alarm clock stands 6 tall. The best deals on alarm, cuckoo, black forest, grandfather, other antique clocks, shelf, mantel, wall.