30 Hour Antique Clocks
My last post was about my favourite antique clock makers, I jumped to the support of a superb provincial clockmaker at the expence of the hundreds of high quality London makers. In no way was I undermining the great London clockmakers though. We sell more London mahogany grandfather clocks than any others. I must say we all owe a great deal to the formation of the clockmakers company in London. The clockmakers company set standards high and as a result we have lots of special clocks as a result. Clearly the UK and London became the centre of clockmaking in the 18th century. It is something I am very proud of.
I do think there is a place though for the simple 30 hour antique clock produced in the provinces. London looked down on the simple 30 hour in the 18th century and no 30 hour grandfather clock examples I believe were produced there after the about C1700. They thought the same of oak cabinets. You will not see a genuine oak London longcase clock I believe, all these were veneered in walnut/marquetry or in figured mahogany, or decorated with chinese lacquer work.
The Clockmakers Company kept standards in London high but provincial 30 hour clock have a character of there own. In the 18th century you still had to be well off to own a grandfather clock, they were normally the most expensive item in the household.
30 hours clocks can have a single hand or two hands to tell the time and most examples do not have a second hand. For a 30Hour clock to have a second hand it would need a extra wheel in its train or it would run backwards.
Original 18th century 30 hour oak or pine clocks that have not been altered or have not suffered from the deaded rot or worm infestation are rare though, many have lost parts of their bases over the years or had their movements converted from 30 hour to ’8-day’ examples. Both of these dramatically effects the value and I would not recommend purchasing one of these.
If you own a cottage though there is nothing better than a simple oak ’30-hour’ antique clock. You will find they will be very reliable and will fit in with the low ceilings in a cottage much better. Most collectable ’30-hour’ grandfather clocks will have either 10 or 11inch dials, this makes them smaller and slimmer than their standard ’8-day’ equivalent.
Most 30 Hour grandfather clocks are wound with a rope or chain, since this rope or chain is on a continious loop, the clocks weight is always engaged when winding. This means that the clock will not stop or lose time during winding, this is effectively the same as ‘maintaining power’ on the fine regulator clocks. The clocks will strike on the hour and it is the same weight that drives the time or going side and the striking side. This is partly why the clock will only last one day on a wind. If you put a clothes peg on the flywheel of the strike mechanism, a 30hour clock would normally last for about 3 days before needing to be wound.
If you do decide to take the plunge and buy a collectable 30 hour grandfather clock after reading this, make sure you buy from a recognised dealer, who will give you a money back guarantee that the clock is genuine. Remember to enjoy your search for your grandfather clock whether that be a simple 30 hour clock or a ’8-day’ example.
As with all antique clocks you are only a custodian of them for future generations. They with live long beyond us if cared for properly.
-
As a huge online store. You can enjoy the Sony ICF-C7IP Clock Radio for iPod and iPhone with... Read Full Story » -
Our mission is to serve our customer needs by offering the largest selection and latest high... Read Full Story » -
( EMAILWIRE.COM , May 29, 2012 ) Rochester Hills – All Clocks Repaired is local family... Read Full Story » -
( EMAILWIRE.COM , May 29, 2012 ) Dallas TX – Fred Bartholomew is the friendly, smiling... Read Full Story »
