Five Things few know about the Seth Thomas Clock Company

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Күн бұрын

There are five There are five significant details that few people know about the Seth Thomas Clock Company.
But thanks to the availability these days of online archives of newspapers, we have assembled historical details that many collectors may not know.
One episode in particular, concerning the burning of a Seth Thomas Clock in public, spurred me on to actually buying this clock and reporting the event here.
Throughout the video you will be directed to the references below, that will provide you a link to an image of the actual newspaper clipping to substantiate assertions made here.
It is hoped that some will go forth and try to correct the historical record after watching this video.
REFERENCES
1) Clock Burning Symbolizes Loss of Seth Thomas
Hartford Courant Mon Apr 11 1983 pages 17 and 20.
(part 1):
www.newspapers.com/clip/10668...
(part 2):
www.newspapers.com/clip/10668...
2a) Advice from Hartford, Conn
Fort Worth Star Telegram Sun Nov 2 1930 page 29
www.newspapers.com/clip/10668...
2b) To Merge Clock Companies
The Kansas City Star Thu Oct 30 1930 page 21
www.newspapers.com/clip/10668...
2c) Clock Companies to Join in New Holding Company
The Herald Press Thu Oct 30 1930 page 2
www.newspapers.com/clip/10671...
2d) Westclox Merges With Seth Thomas
Bureau County Tribune Fri Nov 7 1930 page 7
www.newspapers.com/clip/10671...
3) Talley Takeover of General Time is Still Pending
The Cincinnati Enquirer Mon Jul 22 1968 page 47
www.newspapers.com/clip/10679...
4) Take Over Attempted - Fight Up in Air for Clock Firm
The Morning Call Sun Jul 21 1968 page 54
www.newspapers.com/clip/10679...
5) Talley Seeks to Bring About Merger With General Time
The Arizona Republic Tue Apr 2 1968 page 55
www.newspapers.com/clip/10679...
6)Attention: General Time Stockholders
Chicago Tribune Fri Apr 19 1968 page 77
www.newspapers.com/clip/10680...
7) Talley Proposes Formal Merger
The Pittsburgh Press Thu Feb 13 1969 page 26
www.newspapers.com/clip/10680...
7b) Time-Talley Link OK'd, Criticized
Press and Sun Bulletin Wed May 21 1969 page 9
www.newspapers.com/clip/10680...
8) SEC okays merger of Talley, GT
The Arizona Republic Sat Jan 10 1970 page 36
www.newspapers.com/clip/10680...
9) Industrialist Franz Talley Is Dead at 59
The Arizona Republic Tue Jun 20 1978 page 1
Part 1 -
www.newspapers.com/clip/10682...
Part 2 -
www.newspapers.com/clip/10682...
10) Talley loses $22.5 million in third quarter
The Arizona Republic Thu Nov 12 1987 page F6.
www.newspapers.com/clip/10682...
11) Talley Industries plans major restructuring
Honolulu Star Bulletin Wed Oct 7 1987 page 57
www.newspapers.com/clip/10682...
11b) Talley Industries sets restructuring
The New York Times Oct 8 1987 page D4
timesmachine.nytimes.com/time...
12) General Time shuts down
The Naples Daily News Thu Jun 7 2001 page 49
www.newspapers.com/clip/10682...
13) Historic Clock Maker Decides It's Time To Move
Hartford Courant Wed Apr 28 1982 page 1 and A8
Part 1 -
www.newspapers.com/clip/10682...
Part 2 -
www.newspapers.com/clip/10682...
13a) Seth Thomas Owner Rejects State Offer
Hartford Courant Thu May 20 1982 page 1 and A19
Part 1 -
www.newspapers.com/clip/10682...
Part 2 -
www.newspapers.com/clip/10682...
Credits
Stylized image of Grand Central Station clock by
Brigitte Werner
pixabay.com/users/arttower-5337/
Newspaper icon by
OpenClipart-Vectors
pixabay.com/users/openclipart...
Welcome to Thomaston Clock
by Doug Kerr
www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/
used under Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Thomaston Town Hall
Michael Herrick, Nov 4 2015
Catalog Pages
clockhistory.com
New / Modern Seth Thomas Wall Clocks
www.amazon.com/2016-Seth-Thom...
www.amazon.com/Seth-Thomas-20...

Пікірлер: 16

@PsychoticAmbitions Жыл бұрын

I appreciate the info! I inherited a small fold-up desk clock and have been wanting to restore it. It still has the warranty slip from when my grandfather purchased it in 1986. I read through the warranty just to see how things were worded back then. I never caught on before watching this video, that in the conditions it states it is warrantied through Seth Thomas, a division of General Time Corp. then I look at the front of the slip and notice it says Seth Thomas, a TALLEY INDUSTRIES company. The story is quite sad, the hostile take-over of a local company who built a city around a man who made clocks. I couldn't imagine how that would make me feel. I understand the importance of the mock funeral of the company. Near the end you played the chime, which almost brought a tear to my eye. It brought back the memory of my grandparents Coo-coo clock in the living room. Such a nostalgic chime that will always stay with me. I then thought about the Grandfather clock they had in their den. I don't believe it ever worked, but now I'm curious to see if it's also a Seth Thomas. I'd bet it is. My grandfather seemed like a traditional man. It's a shame I just now grew into my curiosity of life. He had so much knowledge and wisdom to offer, but as a kid it never seemed important. I wish I could visit where he bought the clocks, as I'm sure he had made good friends with the owner or salesmen. Times are so different now. Merry Christmas though!

@Flipclockfans Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate you taking the time to write this. The story really touched me and I was compelled to do this video. It’s nice to know it struck a cord with someone else. Thanks.

@donaldlambert7819 Жыл бұрын

That's an amazing story!

@Ale.K7 Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Beautiful clock.

@brentonjoseph Жыл бұрын

I just love Seth Thomas so much! ☺💜

@kathie32750 Жыл бұрын

I was just gifted a Seth Thomas floor clock. Made in 78.

@Flipclockfans Жыл бұрын

Nice.

@joebartosiewicz3022 Жыл бұрын

I grew up in Thomaston graduated in the Centennial class of 1975 My mother was Secretary to the President of Seth Thomas. We have 11 Seth Thomas Clocks and love the heritage and history of the clocks and the town. He is missing a lot of important information of the town and the clocks though.

@johnsidlauskas3838 Жыл бұрын

Im pretty sure the clock in Grand Central Station was designed and fitted by the Self Winding Clock Company of NY. Although made by Seth Thomas. Many slides you have are including a similar if not exact clock.

@Flipclockfans Жыл бұрын

Good point. It is reported that the Seth Thomas Clock Company made the movements of this clock.

@johnsidlauskas3838 Жыл бұрын

@@Flipclockfans If you look closely on the dials of the infamous clock, it reads "Self Winding Clock Company. New York.

@kevinwallis2194 11 ай бұрын

I won’t touch a clock from anything newer then the 30s. The clock you have chimes ok but the life expectancy is 20 years and it’s cheaper to buy a new movement. Gone are the days of clocks lasting 100 plus years.

@Flipclockfans 11 ай бұрын

I’m not surprised by your opinion. Seth Thomas in later years just installed other’s clock works and eventually farmed out all the work. Thanks.

@Rosenbar731 8 күн бұрын

Did Westclox quit at the same time ?

@Flipclockfans 8 күн бұрын

The way to think about it is this: Seth Thomas and Westclox were just devisions of General Time Corporation. So yes, they were ended with the dissolution of General Time. The tradenames and inventory were sold off by 2008.