Posted 11 years ago
sharleerose
(1 item)
Hi all,
This clock was recently handed down to me it belonged to my great grandparents its a sessions wind up clock it works and has marble on each side of it, from what I could find on the net it's maybe 1920s would love to see if anyone knows a bit of info on it as I'm in love with it and want to know more, Thanks!
Maybe bruce99 will show up, he will know what it is. Patience.
Hi sharleerose,
I do happen to have a little info on your Sessions. It is a model they called "Clyde" from around circa 1908. It has an 8-day movement which strikes the number of hours on a "Cathedral Gong" and sounds one strike each half-hour on a Cup Bell. It has what Sessions referred to as "Egyptian Green Columns" and "Green Marbleized Moldings". These are simulated Marble which was how American Clock Manufacturers of the time produced clocks that resembled the much more expensive French Clocks with their various colored marble, slate, onyx and gilt cases. So in essence, America was making "Knock Offs" at that time, but they were very fine, affordable clocks which are highly collectible today. Many of them retain, or even surpass their initial value. Your great grandparent's clock originally retailed for $9.45 which would be the equivalent of $240 in 2012. In 2002, Tran Duy Ly appraised this model at $325 for a complete, working, all original, mint example. Clock prices are somewhat down lately. Your heirloom is also missing the bronzed decorative feet which this model normally has which would reduce the value to most collectors but it looks very nice as is. Thanks for sharing your heirloom with us.
Thanks so much Bruce for you speedy reply, I'm very grateful for your information as I was driving myself batty just wanting to know the story of the clock I was actually looking at purchasing Trans book to search for it as I couldn't find this exact model online anywhere, I did realise the feet where missing which is a shame but everything else is in working order. I love this clock and hope to pass it down to my children and so on. Thanks again I appreciate your help and look forward to telling other family members about this Sessions clock!
You're very welcome sharleerose. Here is a link to a listing with a photo of another "Clyde". You can see what the original feet look like. This clock shows the other kind of dial that was offered with the Clyde.
http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-429981/antique-sessions-pillar-fancy-black-mantel-clyde-clock%C2%A0.html
You may want to download and save the photo since there's no way of knowing how long it will be available online.
Clock parts are always being offered on eBay. You could set up an automated search and pick up a set of replacements at some point in the future if you want to restore your clock to its original condition.
Thanks again for sharing your clock and its history.