This American Clock Co. iron front clock is 15” tall and 11 3/4” wide at the base. The clock has been passed down in the family since at least my great-grandmother, Eleanor Hoyt Furman (1868-1957). It is decorated with gilt-work (likely bronze powder) that has lost much of its luster over the years. At one time it had floral medallions below the dial, for which faint outlines and coloration can still be seen. Spittlers & Bailey (Clockmakers & Watchmakers of America, 2nd ed.) has the following information about the American Clock Co.:
New York, N.Y. Ca. 1864-1879. Formed Dec. 22, 1864, by agreement of Seth E. Thomas and Ethel C. Hine of New York, “copartners under name American Clock Company” and New Haven Clock Co., E. N. Welch Mfg. Co. and Seth Thomas Clock Co. to vend clocks for 5 years, commencing on Jan. 2, 1865. Companies involved were Seth Thomas Clock Co., Seth Thomas’ Sons & Co., New Haven Clock Co., E. N. Welch Clock Co., Welch, Spring & Co., and Gilbert Clock Co. Branch store established in Chicago on Nov. 1, 1865. Trade catalogs published 1865 through 1879. An 1874 letterhead shows New York store at 581 Broadway with branch offices in Chicago and San Francisco. Chicago office at 115 and later 103 Lake St. In 1874 sole New York agents for Seth Thomas and Seth Thomas & Sons Co. but also agents for New Haven, Welch, Welch, Spring & Co. Also sold clocks for Terry Clock Co., Waterbury, Ansonia, Ingraham, Gilbert and others. Cast metal front clocks sold under their own label. Went bankrupt. A notice of termination of the partnership dated Nov. 25, 1878, states partnership would terminate Jan. 1, 1879, and a sale of all assets (clocks and furniture) would occur on Dec. 10, 1878.
As is clear from the synopsis above, the American Clock Co. was not in the business of making clocks; rather they were a retailer of clocks made by the most prominent Connecticut makers of the latter part of the 19th century.
When rediscovered in the family attic, the clock was missing its minute hand (as shown in the photo above). Fortunately, I was able to acquire a perfect match that I’ve put on the clock. Someday I’ll get around to posting a photo.
The label identifies the maker as the American Clock Co. of Depot No. 3, Cortlandt St., New York and 115 Lake St., Chicago. Note that Spittlers & Bailey state that American Clock Co. iron-front clocks, like this one, were sold “under their own label”. The Spittlers & Bailey history of the company allows approximate dating of the clock (to 1865-1878), but the label offers additional clues. Chicago city directories indicate that the move from 115 to 103 Lake St. occurred between the publication of the 1869 and 1870 directories.
Additionally, the printer’s line for the label states “[ ]& Co., Mercan[ ] Printers, 99 [ ]iden Lane, N.Y.” New York City directories from the period contain the following listings for printers on Maiden Lane:
1868 Hyde Brothers, printers, 99 Maiden Lane
1869 Hyde Brothers & Co., printers, 97 Maiden Lane
1870 Hyde, E. B. & Co., printers, 97 Maiden Lane
Hyde is listed in the 1867 directory at 99 Maiden Lane but not as a printer. According to Wilson’s New York City Copartnership Directory for 1869-1870, Hyde Brothers & Co., of 97 Maiden Lane, dissolved in 1870. Given the move to 97 Maiden Lane around 1869, the likely year of manufacture for the clock would be around 1868.
The 30-hr spring-driven, time & strike movement, although not stamped with the maker’s mark, was made by the New Haven Clock Co. The movement strikes the hours on a coiled gong.
Rear view of the New Haven 30-hr movement.
The dial bezel is stamped “PAT May 10, 1859”, which corresponds to Patent No. 23,950, issued to S. E. Root of Bristol, CT.