Friday, May 26, 2017

Perfect Timing

Do you believe in perfect timing?
When you're at just the right place at just the right time?
When everything falls into place and something wonderful happens?


Well, I do.
It happened to me at an estate sale, where else?
We had checked out a recent sale, taking in the few offerings quickly, 
and were about ready to move on when an old mantel clock caught my eye.

"It's pretty banged up," the elderly man pushing a walker said.
"It's going to need a lot of work," his wife echoed.

"It's only $5," I whispered to Ron,"and I just love it." 


It looked as if it had been dropped. 
The wood trim across the top of the clock was missing and the sides were loose.


But the thing that caught my eye was the pretty hand-painted Victorian floral design 
on the front lower glass. The design is actually painted on the reverse side of the glass. 


The original top metal dial also had painted floral designs in the corners.


And, in the middle of the clock face was a peep hole into the brass gears.
I felt like I was peering into the past. 


I didn't care if it worked. I had to have it.


On the way home in the car, I cradled it on my lap,
listening to it twang every time we hit a bump in the road.
It was as if it was thanking me for taking it home.

As we drove I thought about my vintage alarm clock collection.
Something about old clocks has always spoken to me; 
maybe they're a metaphor for the passing of time and the history they've seen,
something I appreciate. 


Once home, we took a closer look at the mantel clock and were pleasantly surprised
to find all the missing parts inside the clock case, including the broken wood trim. 
I loved the brass pendulum and the two fancy keys inside.


Then we started researching the history of this clock.
And it got even more interesting.

Because the old paper labels were faded but intact inside the clock, we had a good starting point.
We saw it was a Waterbury clock and it was about 19 inches high by four inches deep. 
The case, we learned online, was rosewood with two key winds. 
By examining the details on the label, we were able to place it around 1870 -- Civil War era! 
Can you imagine what this little clock may have witnessed?

Waterbury trademark c. 1870 paper label:

Ron was able to repair the case issues with a little glue . . .


. . . and a picture frame clamp.


I gave it a revitalizing rub with Howard Feed and Wax wood conditioner
which brought out the natural beauty of the wood, making it even more beautiful.


We are deciding whether to take it to a clock repair shop. 
I don't really care if it works (at least it's the correct time twice a day!) 
I just want all its parts and pieces put back together again.
What do you think? Fix it or leave it alone?

***

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***

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44 comments:

  1. Great find. I just love the clock, it is so pretty. What the heck if it doesn't work. I am a clock person also.

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    1. Thanks Brenda! I didn't realize there were so many "clock people" out there until this post. Old clocks are just so intriguing. Enjoy your holiday weekend, Hugs, Pat

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  2. I'm a clock person too. It wouldn't hurt to get an estimate....then you can make an informed decision. The important thing is...you love it! It is beautiful! ;)

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    1. Thanks Donnamae! You've given me some good advice; much appreciated. I do love it. Hugs, Pat

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  3. What a beautiful find! I say get an estimate but then I'm always in favor of working clocks and not just those who look good. 😇

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    1. Thanks Monika! Know anyplace to get an estimate? Enjoy your holiday weekend. Hugs, Pat

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  4. Bravo! Great find and even better fix up. It looks terrific. I have a couple of clocks that don't work -- but they look terrific and I love them and that's what matters!

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    1. Thanks Jeanie! You're right. If you love them, that's what matters. Hugs, Pat

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  5. What a fantastic find!! You have a great eye for treasures, no doubt! Gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks Debbie! It's hard for me to resist something so pretty with a story to boot. Enjoy your holiday weekend. Hugs, Pat

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  6. Hi Sister, I would leave it. Ron did a fantastic job of repairing it and you did on the finishing. With all the clocks you have you don't really need another one to know what time it is. Right?

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    1. Thanks Jan! You're right. I don't need to know what time it is but I'm wondering how it would sound to have a clock that chimes. Maybe it would drive me crazy! OR I might love it??? Hugs and love, Pat

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  7. You've done really well so far, why stop now? I agree with the others, get an estimate, you might love the chimes. Even if it isn't ever a 'working' clock again, it is beautiful in its own right as a decorative accent. Great buy!

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    1. Thanks so much Carole! I'm thinking I will get an estimate to see what's involved but in any case, it looks so pretty. No regrets. Hugs, Pat

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  8. Great Find. Hope it can be repaired.I would love to hear this time keeper from civil war days ticking and chiming in the year 2017! Please let us know!

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    1. Thanks so much Barb! Will let you know what happens next in this civil war story. Thanks for your interest. Hugs, Pat

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  9. What a great story. I wouldn't care if it worked or not.

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  10. I have a clock that dates to 1914 & it has the most soothing tick, tock, tick, tock. All my clocks chime, but this one does not. I would suggest getting an estimate also just to satisfy my curiosity. It is a beautiful clock whether you have it fixed or not!

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    1. Thanks Karen! Wow, your clock is WWI era! I'm not sure if I'd like the chiming; I'm so sensitive to noise, but it might be a soothing sound. Will keep you all informed. Hugs, Pat

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  11. I love old clocks and it looks like you got a gem -- working or not. The painting is great!

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  12. You found a great treasure and really spiffed it up! Good for you, Pat!

    Jane x

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  13. I am so happy to see that you saved that wonderful piece! The memories it probably has. It looks right at home in it's new spot.

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    1. Thanks Christine! That spot was made for this clock. I do love it. Hugs, Pat

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  15. I love your beautiful find! I'm also a vintage/antique clock lover! I even collect the little wind up alarm clocks...don't wind them just leave them on the time I was born. ;) I would probably let the clock repair check it out and get it running if not too cost prohibative. I have a room full of clocks I have to wind weekly and, for some reason, love listening to the variety of personalities ticking around me! I only wind the grandfather clock to chime...the ticking is enough on the rest!

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    1. Thanks so much Jana! I enjoyed hearing about your clock collection. Sounds fascinating. And I love the idea of setting the time to when you were born. I may have to copy that! Hope you visit again soon. Hugs, Pat

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  16. What a beauty for $5 !!!!!!!!
    I use to have old clocks and sort of moved on to other things however I would have bought it also

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  17. Pat what a lovely find for $5! I would have snapped it up in a heartbeat as well. Just gorgeous! Mimi xxx

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  18. I love clocks and have a small collection of tabletop ones. What a bargain this beauty was! My favorite part is the little peek into the gears and the two keys. I love them even if they don't work, but I think I would be tempted to at least get a quote. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thanks Jann! Ron is going to have a go at the insides (just to make everything fit, not to actually work). If that doesn't work, I'll probably get an estimate. Hugs, Pat

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  19. have you wound it up to see if it works; it might not even need a repair! I have my mom's old gingerbread clock and when I keep it wound, it keeps pretty accurate time! Enjoy. I would get a quote just to see....it may just need to be cleaned.

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    1. Thanks Kathy! No, haven't wound it because the insides are loosely hanging down. We haven't checked the works yet but I'd be happy if they would hang properly. We'll see. Hugs, Pat

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  20. GREAT find; she's beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  21. What a great find! I love that this clock has history and looks great in your home. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party.

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  22. Pat, I'm in love with your clock and am so jealous of this $5.00 purchase! I'll be featuring your post tomorrow at Vintage Charm--see you there :)

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    1. Thanks so much Diana. Love your party and am honored to be featured. I just fell hard for this clock. Hugs, Pat

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  23. Your clock is beautiful and you have done such a nice job with it so far. I'm with Jana...every clock has it's own "voice" and it is so much fun to have them visiting all around the house. Get an estimate and just see how much it would be! We have an old regulator in the hall and it probably drives guests crazy, but we love it. Even the cat goes by the number of "boings" to know when it's time to get us up, or for us to feed her. I KNOW a cat can't count, but she is rarely wrong. I guess it has to do with "good vibrations" or something.....
    Blessings,
    J

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