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View Full Version : Ever buy something that is seriously understated?



Tom Fischer
05-10-2013, 5:36 AM
I bought my second grandfather clock about 10 years ago.
My first one was an antique. This second one was a reproduction.
Fella who made the repro is a very talented hobbyist.
William Towne (http://www.clocktowne.com/), near Elmira, NY
He said he got tired of playing golf, so took up making clocks.
He said the kids all had clocks, he had too many clocks so he started selling them.
He had way too many clocks at the time, so I bought his one really cheap.
I think I paid him $2200, including delivery.
Mahogany case, Kieninger movement, Triple Chime
Most of these things are a lot higher now.
When I bought it, he said it was a copy of a famous clock, but he didn't elaborate.

This is my clock, built by William Towne.

261998

After a while, I found pics of the original.
I have heard stories that the bell doesn't strike.
Story is Harry Truman always complained that the clocks (several on the first floor) were not perfectly synchronized.
So, Harry fixed the problem. No clocks in the WH strike, ever again.
Anybody know anything about that?

261999262000262001262002

mike holden
05-10-2013, 10:47 AM
I cant help you identify the original clock, but I suggest you ask on the Society of American Furniture Makers website: SAPFM dot org.
I would be surprised if they cannot identify it.
One of the regular posters on that sight has made a number of pieces for the White House.
Mike

Tom Fischer
05-10-2013, 11:16 AM
At first I assumed it was a Simon Willard clock. (The "Goddard Townsend" of American clocks)

In the paragraph on Decoration, Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oval_Office) says

"A large tall-case clock, commonly called a grandfather clock, built in Boston by John and Thomas Seymour, c. 1795–1805, stands in the northeast portion of the room."
Other references (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_built_the_grandfather_clock_in_the_oval_office ) as well. Must be the case.
Guess that clock is worth a couple of bucks. :eek:

Here's a reference to the Harry Truman story (http://firstladyblog.typepad.com/my-year-with-the-first-la/2011/08/marking-time-in-the-oval-office.html), stopping all the bell strikes.