Antique American Clocks                      January 2020

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514.     $150

Darche “Flash Light Electric Alarm, Bank and Call Clock”, 1910.  This clock would wake you up and store your money with a combination lock.  It used to have a long cord with a push-button that turned on a lightbulb (now missing) above the clock so you could see what time it was while lying in bed; you could take out your money and count it under the flashlight.  It was fireproof – a significant advantage back in the day.  It ran on a dry cell battery so you didn’t have to wind the alarm and it would sound until you turned it off (or the battery ran out).  There are still wires running around inside.  It holds a signed Waterbury hairspring movement that is supposed to run for 8 days, with a 24-hour alarm.  The dial is paper in very good condition.  I can’t open the small safe, but I think it is empty.  Nor is it wired up to run, and the clock winds but doesn’t run, and needs repair.  You rarely find these in working condition anyway, and the push-button light cord is usually gone.  On the other hand, this example has the “Copper Oxidized Finish” that you never see and looks a bit like brass; every other one I have seen has the “Fine Nickel Finish” (see page 94 of Ly’s American Clocks Vol. 2).  It is 8 inches high and 12.5 inches wide, so it is rather large for an alarm clock.  But hey, it’s a bank too!  These clocks in nickel are not uncommon, and typically sell for $100-$200 when in good condition.  $150-$250. 

 

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