Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum OP: Help on Purchasing an Antique Grandfather Clock

Hello, everyone,

This post is off-topic and actually irrelevant, but I thought I also could get a quick response in this forum where many people gather and exchange information. I apologize for the intrusion in advance.

For this Christmas, my family and I are considering to buy an antique grandfather clock to match a piano in our living room. Here is a photo showing one example:


(By Duncan McNeil)

The problem is that we do not know what to expect or the price range of these clocks, expecially given today's market. Even after reading books (and there aren't many) about them while studying at Barnes & Noble, I am at a loss as to what to look for.

Can anyone share their experiences with these antique grandfather clocks? It would help us greatly.

Thank you so much in advance.

What is your budget?

Like used pianos, quality, refurbished, age, maker,original condition or not are all taken into consideration.

They can range from $1500, to $10s of thousands.

Gorgeous though, and in my realm of appreciation.

This is not the place to get an outside appraisal. Please try to purchase one from a quality dealer - just as with pianos.

(Edit - I have been in the antiques trade for several years although GFC's are only in my periphery of knowledge.)

I would research on Ebay. Their offerings may give you a feel for the marketplace.

I own a few granfather clocks myself. They look great in a piano showroom along with Victorian art case pianos. The popular modern brands would be Howard Miller and or maybe Ridgeway.These can get quite pricey if you bought one brand new. To me it is a craig's list item in which persons are just selling them in lieau of changing their furniture criteria so... I sometimes get them when I buy their piano. I wouldn't buy an antique movement in that it is a specialty thing as for fixing them. They can get expensive because of the art case styling. Any other commodities one needs advice on.

Have you had a grandfather clock in the past? I wonder if various models nowadays offer different settings so you can turn the hourly chime off if you wish. Every time I go to my grandparents their clock gongs however many times on the hour and it is insane!

That said, the prettiest ones I ever saw were in the Schwarzwald - the Black Forest in Germany!

Kristina Richards
Piano Arts of Sacramento

The Sacramento Blüthner Piano Store

Try this site

http://www.champsclock.com/index.htm

I just purchased a Howard Miller "Diana" Grandfather Clock at the Philadelphia Home Show not too long ago:

http://www.howardmiller.com/webapp/...rent_category_rn=36152&top_category=

The wife picked it out, and matches our piano perfectly. I also like to look at antique grandfather clocks, too... beautiful.

(In regards to NEW clocks... someone mentioned "Ridgeway"... I think this is Howard Miller's cheaper line, not built in their factory in Zeeland, Michigan. In piano terms... if Howard Miller is the Steinway, the Ridgewood might be the Essex... (or Boston?)

Not sure where you live, but if you're fairly close to a populated town or city, you should find a shop that cleans and oils grandfather clocks and antique clocks with mechanical movements and have someone look at the the clock you're interested in buying. I bought my Howard Miller GFC from a store that specializes in clocks and time movement repairs. A good clock repair shop can fix almost anything but it will cost $$$ (just like pianos). The picture you included is quite a key-wound beauty.

Good Luck

Thank you for your comments! Yes, we love the one in the picture.

(That store in Georgia is too far away from where we live, but thank you for your link)

Our current budget is around $4000, and we are considering modest 19th-century grandfather clocks like the one in the picture. The height also should be around 8 feet, but not taller.

I did do a search on ebay and craigslist before, but it seems the prices of these clocks vary significantly; I am not sure wh, but some clocks are listed around $9000 while others are around $3000. (They seemingly have no major difference)

If the clock is not working, how much usually would the restoration cost?

Also, are oak cases more valuable than mahogany ones?

Thank you for your inputs in advance.

As with pianos, there is a lot to consider as to why the prices are different. Make, age, condition, rarity, restoration in the past or present, etc.

And restoration $ is also similar to a piano. Who is doing what? (not a question but a factor in $)

I do NOT think that oak would be more valuable. Just the opposite. The only oak ones that I can think of with possible more value would be Stickleys (Arts and Crafts master cabinetmaker)

American is probably more valuable than European here in USA.

Not sure if there is a website, but you might want to check out Delaney in Ma. They will be expensive but high quality. Hunt for the ENTER sign on the front page...hard to find.

BTW, how is the piano coming along?

Yes, how is the rebuild on the Knabe or Chickering (I can't remember) coming along?

OK - I'm going out on a limb based on the the photo only.

The clock is based on 18th C. design of English or Irish manufacture. I have no clue if it really dates from that period. What is in the photo has been cobbled back together from all sorts of pieces and could not be considered to be original.

The finials are the first clue. Those are American Military flagpole finials. They were just stuck in as the original mahogany pinned finals have been lost. The clock face raises questions as does the refinishing and veneer repair. The pilasters on either side of the face wouldn't have bright brass capitals or bases.

My high bid would be $1.5K, without a first hand detailed inspection.

All that being said, it is a very handsome clock. If you can get it for under $2K, with shipping, you will have done very well.

Thank you for the all the inputs.

For example, this clock is currently listed in my area, and is 7 ft 6 inches. It runs, but I think it needs a lot more work to really function on the daily basis.

How much roughly will this clock cost us if we try to have it refinished and reconditioned?

My piano.. it sadly was hauled away to a dump. (No, I am just joking, of course)

One more thing: We really like this clock, but it is unfortunately in Massachusetts.



If there is anyone in the forum who had a clock moved during a long distance move, can you share as to how much would the shipping cost from MA to IL?

Thank you so much for sharing in advance.

[quote=Avantgardenabi]Thank you for the all the inputs.

My piano.. it sadly was hauled away to a dump. (No, I am just joking, of course)


Were you trying to give us a heart attack?

As with pianos, you need to have a clock man give you the estimates.

My sister's grandfather clock (1700's) just needed a little attention to get is going. $65. She was lucky! It is gorgeous to me, but not your cup of tea - quite primitive and all original finish and insides.

Now...

to your piano...

give it up! let us know how you are doing with the restoration!

The basic problem with these clocks
is when you try to run them. Some
people will not be able to tolerate
the noise of the chiming when they
are sleeping. This problem may
not be obvious at first, but it
can literally drive a light sleeper
nuts over time. If you have one
of these people in your house, you
won't be able to run the clock.

Some though, Gyro and AGabi, love the sound of the clock ticking and chiming, even in the middle of the night and sleep well hearing it. Comfort, consistency, time passing through the ages and all.

Having visited at a few homes with gorgeous old clocks, I thoroughly enjoyed each 15 minutes of chimedom! Like a baby falling to sleep while parents play their acoustic pianos!