Our April program was about the "Great Find". You may think they don’t exist anymore but these stories dispute that theory. Al Grosskreutz told of a broken down mess that a dealer in Texas had found in a barn. It turned out to be a Seth Thomas #2. The top glass was broken, the bottom was intact, but termites had done a job on the sides of the case. Fortunately Timesavers sells case parts and Al set out to restore this beauty. He brought in the case to show off it’s beautiful new condition - just waiting to be reunited with the movement and dial.
Danny Lambert found a wall clock in a shop in Brazelton. It was a newer Seth Thomas with Westminster chimes. He got it for just $75. When he took off the dial and looked at the movement, it said Seth Thomas Company – Norcross, GA. That’s a piece from home.
While in Germany, Bob Schulte told us about a whole basement of clocks and what-not that he purchased for only 11 Marks, that’s about $600. American. He made seven trips back and forth to pick up five Grandfather clocks, 103 cuckoos, and wall and shelf clocks of all kinds.
Bill Smart who, in the process of moving from Michigan, found a basket case in a shop in Raben County. This incomplete wall clock turned out to be an Ansonia Reflector.
Levern Wilkerson saw an ad about a clock for sale. That clock was an early Seth Thomas Calendar. While there, he noticed another clock in the hall. The owner said he could have that too. It was a #5 Howard and David banjo in it’s original condition.
Christian Brown met a man who had clocks and Hummels. This man’s children weren’t interested in his possessions so he decided to liquidate. Christian made him an offer on four clocks and was surprised to find two Grande Sonnories, in his new collection.
Proving that not only clocks are out there, Kent Singer and his wife were in Palmer, Alaska during the state fair. Amidst the hucksters and craft booths, they found a knick-knack dealer’s booth with some clocks in the back, ignoring those, he spotted watches in a display. After paying only $40 for a South Bend 227, he declined to purchase an unidentified Waltham, whose case couldn't be opened, at the same price. Kent's wife decided to get it anyway and it turned out to be Crescent St. Not too bad!
Leroy Wilkerson, not to be confused with his brother, and also not to be outdone, told of a upside down Silas Hoadley, that had no dial. He met some people that just happened to have a dial and best of all, they gave it to him.
To top it all off, Bernie Tekippe worked on a clock that belonged in a Rolls Royce. The owner was a car collector and bought his "Rolls" with a 6" hole in the dash. Upon contacting Rolls Royce in England to find out what belonged in that hole, he was told that he had one of only six of that model car made, and that the whereabouts of four was known, but that they had an extra clock. That’s what filled the hole, and it was determined that the extra clock must be his. Now his car was complete. We all have stories, some are great buys, others just great finds to complete a collection for a project, just ask us, we love to share.
The subject of the April Watch Focus Group was ladies watches. The turnout included a ball-shaped pendant watch, about the size of a large sweet pea, brought by Glen Alexander as part of his display of six watches. Anne Camp (one of the unsung heroines who sets up the refreshments) brought a number of silver watches featuring enameled images and Ward Francillon added to the display with three of his Francillon - Longines watches. All in all, it was an interesting display.