Seth Thomas Clock Company Historical Memorabilia
American
Seth Thomas was an industrious clockmaker and pioneer of mass production in the United States. He founded the highly successful Seth Thomas Clock Company, which operated for more than 200 years. Over these two centuries, the company created mantle clocks, wall clocks and table clocks that were known for their masterful craftsmanship and on-trend designs.
Thomas was born in 1785 in Wolcott, Connecticut, to Scottish immigrants. At the time, Connecticut was a growing hub of American clockmaking. Though he left school at an early age, Thomas apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner in Plymouth. In the early 1800s, he made his first clock out of laurel wood from the mountains around his home.
In 1807, Thomas partnered with Eli Terry and Silas Hoadley to form a clock company called Terry, Thomas Hoadley. Over the next three years, the firm produced around 400 wall clocks. In 1813, Thomas sold his share of the company and moved to Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut, where he established his clock factory. He gained a reputation for producing beautiful grandfather clocks and tower clocks.
When Thomas died in 1859, his son, Aaron, took over the company. The Seth Thomas Clock Company continued operating successfully for several more decades. In 1913, it produced the four-faced tower clock that still stands in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal.
In 1875, Plymouth Hollow was incorporated under the name Thomaston in his honor. The company went out of business in 2009.
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Creator: Seth Thomas Clock Company
WWII US Navy Maritime Sinuous Course Warship Destroyer Ships Clock Seth Thomas
By Seth Thomas Clock Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare World War II era Sinuous Course Clock - BU Ships stock No. S61-C-8350 - Mark 3 - Mod. 0 - Navy Department Bureau of Ships - Seth thomas Clocks Contract NObs. 53703 - Insp. US Na...
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Seth Thomas Clock Company historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs.
Seth Thomas Clock Company historical memorabilia are available for sale on 1stDibs.
Questions About Seth Thomas Clock Company Historical Memorabilia
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024To identify a Seth Thomas clock, check its movement for a maker's mark. You may need to remove the back of the clock to access it. During the 19th and mid-20th centuries, the clockmaker usually used its full name in script or block letters to mark its pieces. Later clocks are more likely to display either an S centered with a diamond or the initials ST positioned in a circle. If you have trouble finding a marking, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can perform the identification process for you. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Seth Thomas clocks.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024To tell the date on a Seth Thomas clock, look for a code on the bottom or case back. Most pieces will show the year of production first, with the numbers reversed. Then, you'll usually see a letter. These letters correspond to months, with A representing January, B representing February and L corresponding to December. For example, a date code that reads 31F's manufacturing date would be June 1913. If you need help with the dating process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. Find a collection of Seth Thomas clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Sadly, Seth Thomas clocks are no longer made. The luxury clockmaker closed its doors in January 2009 and is no longer in operation. Find a collection of Seth Thomas clocks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To date a Seth Thomas mantel clock, examine the gears inside. If the movement is wood, the production date of the clock is somewhere between 1817 and 1830. Clocks made after 1881 may feature an ink code date stamp on the case back or bottom. A licensed appraiser can provide assistance with determining the exact manufacturing year. Shop a variety of expertly vetted Seth Thomas mantel clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 30, 2024Yes, some Seth Thomas clocks are worth something. The company created mantle clocks, wall clocks and table clocks that were known for their masterful craftsmanship and on-trend designs, and many collectors continue to seek them out to this day. How much a particular clock will be worth depends on its age, style, materials, type and condition. To find out how much yours may be worth, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Shop a range of Seth Thomas clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, the Seth Thomas Clock Company is no longer in business. When the Seth Thomas Clock Company was founded in 1813 it quickly became known for its offerings of longcase, mantel, wall and table-top clocks. There are still many secondhand options for Seth Thomas Clock Company clocks through verified retailers, including 1stDibs.