Articles & Interviews
Showing 25 articles & interviews for "clocks"English Clocks in American Cases
The following piece focuses on clockmakers in the U.S. and Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, specifically the marks and materials they used and the regulations that were placed on them. It originally appeared in the December 1940 issue… Read more »
Miniature Clocks of Europe and America
This article describes the skill involved in the craft of miniature clockmaking, as well as the different types of miniature clocks (grandfather, grandmother, and grandchild), how each is made, and some of the notable manufacturers. It orig… Read more »
Forestville Connecticut Clocks
This article discusses the Forestville Manufacturing Company, noting the company’s origins, the clocks that they made, and the labels that they used to mark their products. It originally appeared in the September 1947 issue of American Coll… Read more »
The Care and Repair of 19th-Century American Clocks
Dave Weisbart talks about 19th-century clocks, discussing notable manufacturers and designs and sharing his experience with clock repairs. Dave is the owner of Prestige Clock Repair in Huntington Beach, CA and shares his clock collection on… Read more »
Jonathan Snellenburg Ticks off the History of Watches and Clocks
Jonathan Snellenburg is the Director of Watches and Clocks for Bonhams New York. Snellenburg holds a Ph.D. in geochemistry, did post-doctoral work in extraterrestrial geology at the American Museum of Natural History, and graded diamonds as… Read more »
Call Them Grandfather or Tall-Case, Gary Sullivan Knows Big Clocks
Gary Sullivan is a clock and furniture dealer, as well as an appraiser for "Antiques Roadshow." In this scholarly interview, Sullivan explains the differences between early American tall-case, banjo, and dwarf clocks and offers tips on what… Read more »
A History of Dimestore Christmas Village Houses
In this article, the late Ted Althof, who was known as Papa Ted, gave us an in-depth history of decorative dimestore Christmas village houses and other vintage Christmas decorations. A page at CardboardChristmas.com is now devoted to his me… Read more »
The Timeless Appeal of the Westclock Big and Baby Bens
In this interview Bill Stoddard talks about collecting antique Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben alarm clocks, and discusses clock collecting in general. Based in Flora, Indiana, Bill can be reached via his website, clockhistory.com, which is a… Read more »
Sam Baker, Collector of Petroliana and Vintage Ford Cars and Signs
In this interview, Sam Baker discusses collecting vintage Ford cars (Model T’s and A’s), Ford porcelain signs and other collectibles, and Petroliana (gas pumps and globes), especially Richfield. Based in Oceanview, New Jersey, Sam can be re… Read more »
Reyne Haines Spills on Tiffany, Chihuly, and Loetz
Reyne Haines talks about the history of art glass, and about collecting art glass from designers such as Tiffany, Loetz, and others. Based in Cincinnati and New York City, Haines is a 20th-century decorative arts appraiser, collector, and d… Read more »
Hollywood at Home: Vintage Bolex Movie Cameras
In this interview, Michael Tisdale talks about collecting vintage Bolex-Paillard home movie cameras and related ephemera. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Michael can be reached via his website, Bolex Collector, which is a member of our Hall of F… Read more »
Railroadiana Collectors Preserve the Days of Train Travel
In this interview, Sue Knous discusses railroadiana collecting, the various types of railroad collectibles and memorabilia, and the best ways to get involved in the hobby. Based in Colorado, Sue can be reached via her website, Railroad Memo… Read more »
Collecting Iron Horses
The following piece describes an early effort to salvage, restore, and preserve old American steam railroad locomotives, circa 1893, at the time of the Chiago World's Fair. It originally appeared in the May 1939 issue of American Collector … Read more »
Chester County Cabinetmakers
This article on the cabinetmakers of Chester County, Pa., during the 18th and 19th centuries discusses the evolution of the trade, notable cabinet makers, and popular furniture requests of the era. It originally appeared in the April 1939 … Read more »
Geographic Distribution of Early Clockmaking in America
This article, written by the curator of the James Arthur Collection of Clocks and Watches at New York University, discusses clockmaking in the 18th and 19th centuries, noting the rise and fall of the independent clockmaker, the movement awa… Read more »
The Versatile Simon Willard
This article on the clockmaker Simon Willard describes the characteristics associated with Willard’s craftsmanship, detailing some of his specific clocks to illustrate. It also notes the French influence on American clockmaking. It original… Read more »
Birch, the Forgotten Wood of Cabinetmakers
This article notes the various woods cabinetmakers have used, such as oak, mahogany, maple, and cherry, and argues that birch is comparable in quality and should be equally as desirable. It notes the limited locations in which birch was use… Read more »
Random Thoughts on Dolls
This article argues that collectors should have fun and arrange their dolls for display rather than keeping them behind glass cases, offering ideas for interesting displays. It originally appeared in the January 1945 issue of American Colle… Read more »
The Sandersons and Salem Furniture
This article, originally published in two parts, discusses the history of notable yet under-recognized cabinetmakers from Salem, also noting the economic history and community of craftsmen in the city. Part Two focuses on Elijah and Jacob S… Read more »
Sandwich Lacy Goblets
This article describes the patterns and characteristics of lacy glass goblets, also addressing the misconception that they are all French. It originally appeared in the May 1938 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran … Read more »
Connecticut Clockmaking in Central New York
This article discusses popular clockmakers in New York in the 19th century, describing their craft and the types of clocks they made. It originally appeared in the May 1938 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from … Read more »
Antique Furniture with Double Uses
This article describes furniture with a functional design – that is, furniture with multiple uses, such as a settee that doubles as a table or a library chair that unfolds, revealing a step-ladder to be used to reach a book on a high shelf.… Read more »
Looking at Tramp Art with Author Clifford Wallach
Clifford Wallach talks about tramp art, noting its origins and social history, and addressing some historical misconceptions. Clifford has published two books on tramp art – Tramp Art, One Notch at a Time and his newest, Tramp Art, Another … Read more »
A Short History of the American Antique Pocket Watch
Tom McIntyre talks about antique pocket watches, discussing key manufacturers, the mechanics behind the watches, the varying types, and the collecting hobby in general. Read more »