Page 48 - JOA-Apr-22

also known as extra-clear glass or Many movements were converted to
optically clear glass, by reducing the electricity by removing the winding drum,
amount of iron in the molten glass formula. unnecessary gears, pendulum, bob, and
This type is more transparent than regular weights (sadly removing the unique mechanical
glass and doesn’t have that greenish tint. In engineering) and attaching a small electric
fact, modifying the iron content can synchronous motor to the frame. Seth Thomas
increase the light transparency by 5 to 6 made an electric auto-winder for their street
percent. Low-iron glass also increases the clocks as an alternative to using a synchronous
flow of natural light, for added, seamless motor. By installing the auto-winder, the
continuity between spaces.” original movement could be left intact by just
adding a gear motor to lift the weights. Today
Wood or Metal: The hands used for E. the synchronous motors are being replaced
Howard street clocks were made of western with electric motors installed directly behind
red cedar and the hands on the Seth the dials and operated by a controller in the
1911 Joseph Mayer “Tulip Thomas street clocks hands were metal. base where the mechanical movement would
Top” base with “rhomboidal”
eight lamp, four dial top. Since the hands are protected by the have been.
Restored four dial head with outer clear glass, they generally are found
42-inch dials in decent shape and require only to be 100 More Years
stripped of old paint and repainted. The
brass motion works located behind the dials in the head of the clock are A completed restoration of one of these
taken apart and cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner. Worn gears or pinions 114+-year-old clocks brings out the beautiful
are replaced then re-assembled and oiled.
details of the casting that were covered by layers
of paint and rust. Replacing the plexiglass dials
Timely Mechanical with carved Vitrolite dials backlit with new
Movements LED light rings adds a warm glow at night.
Two-dial 1905 E Restoring a vintage street clock back to its
Howard Street Clock original state is a labor-intensive process that
The earliest street clocks used with banner top.
weight-driven mechanical movements Powder-coated with requires patience, creativity, and time. The
located in the basement of the frosted glass painted dials. satisfaction of a completely restored clock is
business that owned them. Drive rods knowing you gave it another 100 years of
ran under the sidewalk directly under public enjoyment!
the base of the street clock then ran
up through the base and column to I have been collecting and restoring rare and magnificent public
the motion works in the head to turn timepieces for over a decade. My first restoration was a 1908 E.
the hands. Howard two dial with a banner top. The clock ended up in my front
It wasn’t long before the mechanical
movements were re-located inside the CNC machined new yard and to this day it continues to amaze all who walk past it.
base of the street clocks. On one of the E Howard western red cedar – Eric Ryback
four sides of the square base was an hands for 36-inch dials
access door. The movement was St. Louis Street Clock Company started from a collector’s passion for
mounted on a seat board, which provided easy access to wind the clock these magnificent public timekeepers. It specializes in the Restoration and
and adjust the time as needed. The weight, made of cast iron or lead, Reproduction of E. Howard & Co., Seth Thomas, Joseph Mayer, Ansonia,
weighed between 108 to 160 pounds. It was compounded by a set of and Brown Street Clocks. The company also occasionally offers street clocks
pulleys for easy winding every eight days. As the years passed, clock for sale, all of which have extensive historical provenance. The clocks are
winders became scarce and also rented out as props for productions – anything from Movie Studios,
unreliable. Owners would TV, Film, Documentaries, production crews, to plays, etc.
forget to wind the clock For more information, please contact Eric Ryback at 314-651-1051
and people would notice. and visit www.stlstreetclock.com

For Sale: Circa 1918 two-dial Seth Thomas
Street Clock with no. 5 illuminated sign
ornament top. 40-inch dials, 24-inch
square base, 13-feet 10-inch from base to
center of dials. Complete provenance
with historical photos documenting the Restored 1910 E Howard Restored E Howard 1905 E. Howard 2 dial Street Clock
four owners. Price upon request Street Clock Movement Street Clock Movement with ’00’ time movement
(front view) (side view)

46 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles