Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-06-05
GRANDFATHER CLOCKS
How Credulous People Are Imposed Cpsl
by Skilled Artists.

wv
by Skilled Artists.
The real grandfather clocks are still
much sought after, not only by the
nouveau richie, but by those whose
aristocratic ancestors failed to hand
down the tall timepiece which stood IN
their Railways in the days of yore.
The word real is used advisedly, for
the demand for these old-fashioned
timepieces has given rise to the manu-
facture of imitation grandfathcr
clocks. A year or two ago some were
brought to this market from the New
England States, but at present Balti-
more is the only place where the imi-
tation clocks are manufactured and
sold as genuine. Many of our largest
jewelers., however, are making clocks,
the cases of which are constructed of
mahogany, walnut, rosewood, and
timepieces, but these are invariably
sold for just what they are. In
deed, the fact is that it has been found
impossible to build an imitation grand
fathers clock so that the deception
could not be detected by experts. the
defects being found in small details
In New England a century ago a
large number of these clocks were
made, the works being constructedEo out
of wood, and while they are said tc
have been excellent time keepers in
their day, such of them as are in exis-
tcnce now have long since outlived theif
usefulness, except as ornaments or
curiosities. The real antique grand
father clocks, with metal works, are
dated from 1890 to 1910. The style
known as the ''Dutchman'' represents
| by far the finest Of these antique clocks.
! These are made in Holland and some of
them that are still in existence are
| dated as far back as 100. Many o,
| them are of exceedingly fine and intri-
cate workmanship, Ginning old Dutch
airs, striking the hours and quarters,
and showing the phases Of the moons
calendar. They are perfect timekeep-
ers and are worth from $500 to 81, 900
each.
Early in the eighteenth century En-.
gland also manufactured similar clocks,
and quite a number of them were in
cased in frames by ~Chippendale, the
famous cabinet-makcr OF a century and
a half ago, and those now command
fancy figures. A clock made for q Lon.
don firm, which is incased in q Chip.
pendalc case of rare beauty, but simpls
in design. is now exhibited in an estab.
lishment on Union Square. In add
ton to keeping correct time, it show:
the motion of the planets, the calendar,
many astronomical data, and plays
thirteen tunes. 1t is valued at 50, 200.
'Is it possible" asked the reporter
of an expert in the business, ''that the
clock of the future will run perpet-
ually, being so constructed that the
changes Of the temperature between
night and day will wind it up?"
mo doubt that such clocks will b.
manufactured, as it is perfectly feasible
to construct one to be run not only by
changes in the temperature, but by
other simple forces, such. for instance,
as the draught from achimney. Clocks
a be also constructed to run for an
almost indefinite period without being
wound up by extreme delicacy in man
ufacturing their works."
"Do you think that clocks Of this
character will ever come into general
use?"
.'That is not likely, as the delicacy
of their works would prevent them
from being of practical value for every
day usc."-N. Y. Mail and Express.