Posted 8 years ago
dmeyer1045
(1 item)
I just acquired this clock from my Dad after he sold his house. It is 20.75 in wide, 9.5 in high and 5.25 in deep. I has a paper label on the bottom that says No 2 Cymbal. Can you tell me when it was made ?
It still runs and chimes on the 1/4 hour. It is in fair shape, but loosing some of the silver on the face. Can I restore this or best to leave alone?
Thanks in advance for any info you can share.
Dave
Mahogany Tambour Clock by Seth Thomas.
https://clockhistory.com/0/seth-thomas/model-names/tambour/page1.html
Hello Dave,
Welcome to Collectors Weekly!
Your Seth Thomas Cymb
ooops.... hit the wrong button. Anyway....your Seth Thomas Cymbal 2 is from circa 1928. It could certainly have been manufactured several years before or after that date. If your dad is still with us, ask him for any information about it that he can recall. What's the story behind it? How and when did he acquire it? When was the last time it was serviced? Mechanical movements should be inspected and re-oiled periodically. When dirt and signs of wear show up upon inspection, cleaning and overhauls become necessary to properly maintain the movement. They were designed to last many years with proper use and maintenance. This was most likely a $20+ clock in 1928. When adjusted for inflation that would be somewhere near $300 in 2016.
The case is Mahogany with contrasting panels. It uses a quarter-hour self-adjusting strike movement based on the Seth Thomas No. 89, which one of their very successful designs.
Regarding the Silver Dial, can't see much detail due to the light reflection/flash. Literally, I would just try not to touch it at all. The silver is a very thin coating over brass. It can be easily ruined by polishes or aggressive cleaning. One can clean and brighten silver dials with a little distilled water mixed with Cream of Tartar into a paste. Applied and removed very gently with a clean white cloth.
Hope that helps solve your mystery. If so, please indicate "Mystery Solved" in your listing. If not, let us know what other questions you may have.
Thanks for sharing your heirloom with us. It's obviously been well cared for.
Thanks Bruce and Dave
You're very welcome Dave!