The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-05-13
IMITATION GRANDFATHER CLOCKS.
hera CrednloHs People Rre Imposed Upon
by skilled Artisans.

The real grandfather clocks are still much
sought after, not only by the nouyeau riches
but by those whose aristocratic ancestors
failed to hand down the tall time-piece
which stood in their Railways in the DAYS OF
yore. The word real is used adyisedly. for
the demand for these old-fashioned time
pieces has given rise to the manufacture of
imitation grandfather clocks. A wear or
two ago some We're brought to this market
from the New England States, but at pres
ent Baltimore is the only place where the
imitation clocks are manufactured and sold
as genuine. Many of our largest jewellers,
however, are making clocks, the cases OF
which are constructed of mahogany, wal.
nut, rosewood and cherry in imitation of
the ancient time-pieces, but these are inyar-
iably sold for just what they are. Indeed,
the fact is that it has been found impossible
to build an imitation grandfather's clock SO
that the deception could not be detected by
experts; the defects being found in small
details.
In New England century ngo a large
number of these clocks were made, the
works being constructed out of wood, and
while they are said to have been excellent
timekeepers in their day, such of them as
are IN existence now have long since out.
lived their usefulness, except as ornaments
or curiosities. The real antique grandfather
clocks, with metal works, are dated from
1880 to 1910. The style known as the
Dutchman represents by far the finest of
these antiqueclocks. These were made in
Holland and some of them that are still in
existence are dated as far back as 100.
Many of them are of exceedingly fine and
intricate workmanship, Ginning old Dutch
airs, striking the hours and quarters.
and shown the phases of the moons calen.
dar. They are perfect timekeepers and are
worth from $400 to 81 900 each.
Early in the eighteenth century the Eng.
fish also manufactured similar clocks. and
quite number of them were encased in
frames by Chlppendale, the famous cabi-
net-maker of century and half ago, and
those now command fancy figures A clock
made for Green q Bently, of London.
which is encased in n Chippendale case of
rare beauty, but simple in design, is now
exhibited in an establishment on Union
Square. In addition to keeping correct
time, it shows the motion of the planets,
the calendar, many astronomical data and
plays thirteen tunes. 1t is valued ut So
300
:" Is it possible asked reporter of ar
expert in the business, that the clock OF
the future will run perpetually, being SO
constructed that the changes of the temper.
allure between night and day will wind il
up?n
" No doubt that such clocks will be man.
ufactured, as it is perfectly feasible to con-
struct one to be run not only by changes in
the temperature, but by other simple forces,
such for instance as the draught from a
chimney. Clocks can be also constructed
to run for an almost indefinite period with
out being wound up by extreme delicacy in
manufacturing their works.
al Do you think that clocks of this char.
acter will ever como into general use ?"
3" That is not likely, as the deicacy OF
their works would prevent them from being
of practical yslue for everyday use."