Antique schoolhouse clock swings
Q. This is a photo of an antique wall clock that belonged to my great-grandmother. She was born in 1872, and we think it was given to her for her wedding. The clock was made by Seth Thomas in Thomaston, Connecticut. It is an eight-day clock, is approximately 26 inches long and has Roman numerals. The pendulum can be seen swinging behind the glass.
Do you have any information on its history and its value?
A. After purchasing several clock factories, Seth Thomas established Seth Thomas Co. in Plymouth, Connecticut, in 1853. He died in 1859, and the company continued to grow under the management of his sons. The name of the city, Plymouth, was changed to Thomaston to honor Thomas. In 1931, the company became a subsidiary of General Time Instruments Co. It was acquired by the Colibri Group in 2001, and in 2009 the group went into receivership and operations ceased. Your wall short drop clock is often referred to as a schoolhouse clock, which is similar to a regulator clock but shorter, thus the term short drop clock. These short drop clocks were also used in public places and offices. Some drop clocks are calendar clocks. They have 31 Arabic numbers in addition to the Roman numerals.
Your wall schoolhouse short drop clock was made in the 1890s and would probably be worth $175 to $225.
Q. I have enclosed the mark that is on the bottom of my antique table lamp. The shade is caramel slag glass with an ornate metal overlay, and the base is metal. There are two sockets, each with a pull chain. It has been rewired and is in perfect working condition. The overall height is 24 inches, and the diameter of the shade is 18 inches.
What can you tell me about the marker, age and value of my lamp?
A. Bradley & Hubbard made your lamp. Nathaniel Bradley, William Bradley and Walter Hubbard established the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Co. in 1875 in Meriden, Connecticut. They produced metal bookends, lamps, desk sets, cast-iron ducks, matchboxes and candlesticks. As the business grew, they added showrooms in New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia. A bevy of traveling salesmen sold Bradley & Hubbard objects. In addition to the showrooms, Bradley & Hubbard products were sold at Marshall Field's; Sears, Roebuck and Co.; and Montgomery Ward. World War II was disastrous to Bradley & Hubbard because metal was diverted to the war effort. In 1976, a fire swept through the old factory, taking with it all the official records.
Your lamp was made in the 1920s and would probably be worth $325 to $575.
• Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters.
© 2018, Creators Syndicate