Grandfather clocks are timeless treasures that make a wonderful addition to any antique collection. As with any costly product, however, it is important to know valuable information about antique grandfather clocks before making a purchase.
The History of the Grandfather Clock:
William Clement, a clockmaker from England, first created the grandfather clock in 1670. Originally referred to as a long case or floor clock, the grandfather clock did not receive its official title until the 1880’s, as a result of Henry Work’s song of the same name. According to legend, while staying at the George Hotel in North Yorkshire, England, Work was told of a clock that completely stopped working when the manager of the hotel died at the age of ninety. After listening to the legend, Work retold the story of the event in a song, which became popular. From this song, the long case clock became known as the grandfather clock.
The Structure of the Grandfather Clock:
Most antique grandfather clocks are made of mahogany, oak, walnut, or pine. Although some exceptions exist, the two basic types of grandfather clocks are 8-day and 30-hour clocks.
The 8-day clock consists of a dial with two holes and a key with which to wind the clock. It also contains two weights: one that makes it strike and another that causes it to run. Like its name suggests, the 8-day clock must be wound every eight days. In collecting antique grandfather clocks, the 8-day clock is the more elaborate of the two types.
Unlike the 8-day clock, the 30-hour clock is not wound by a key, but rather by a rope or chain. The 30-hour clock only consists of one weight, which makes the clock run. The clock must be wound every 30 hours and is less expensive than the 8-day clock.
Valuing a Grandfather Clock:
Finding out exactly when a grandfather clock was made can be a difficult task. Many grandfather clocks have a signature that is located on the movement of the dial of the clock, which may or may not help in dating the clock. Simply relying on the signature may be deceiving. Sometimes the signature on the back of a grandfather clock is the name of the distributor and not the clockmaker.
Many clockmaker guides exist, which can help to identify the maker of a clock. If the signature on the back of the clock is a name that can be found in a clockmaker guide, it is a good indicator of when the clock was made. However, in dealing with antiques, buyers should always be aware of fraudulence. Sometimes signatures are merely added to a clock to give off an appearance of age and value.
The physical appearance of an antique grandfather clock is an important factor in estimating the value of the clock. Clocks that are clean with original elements that have never been restored will have a greater value than clocks that are in poor condition or altered. When looking to profit from a grandfather clock, a buyer will need to buy the clock at a price that is below the clock’s true value.
Where to Buy an Antique Grandfather Clock:
Antique grandfather clocks can be found in a variety of places. Some of the best places to search for grandfather clocks are resale shops, auctions, flea markets, estate sales, garage sales, and newspaper classifieds.
