Posted 13 years ago
Treasurese…
(3 items)
My husband was working one afternoon at the local Goodwill store when an older woman brought in a bundle of items to donate. Right on top of one of the boxes of items was this wonderful piece. Now, he has always wanted a cuckoo clock so he asked her about it. She said that it had always worked but for some reason or another (that she could not recall) she had taken it down & stored it away. She said that she didn't know why but the pine cone wts. had not been stored with the clock & she could not locate them so it was of no use to her anymore. My husband immediately approached his store manager inquiring about purchasing the clock. Of course, there is a company policy that states an item must be placed on the sale floor & if it is still there after 4 business days then an employee is allowed to purchase it. For the next 4 days, we held our breaths, checking the shelves every day hoping no one would find it irresistible. On day 5, I was instructed to follow him to work & buy the clock as soon as the store opened. After getting it home & investigating, we learned that it is an original Black Forest Cuckoo made in Germany by E. Schmeckenbecker. After further research, I was able to order & purchase the correct pine cone wts. for this particular clock from a clock company online. I have no idea what it is worth on the market, but I know that it is priceless to us.
I just found this same cuckoo at an estate sale. Where did you go to research this clock? Mine has W. Germany right on the clock face - 8 day on the back and the numbers 9-78 was well as an imprint "West Germany" in the wood. I was told this was a very, very old clock, as it was her grandmothers. I would love to learn more about it and would appreciate any suggestions you might have to get more info. Thank you so much.
If it says West Germany then it was made after WW2. before the war it would only say Germany.
Try looking for them in Schwenningen, Germany. One reference I found said the 9-78 is the date the clock was made (9th month of 1978).
I am assuming the name posted in the title is spelled wrong and should be Schmeckenbecher, for Emil Schmeckenbecher. Although there was a Karen E. Schmeckenbecker. One letter being off makes a major difference in search results.