Seth Thomas Regulator No. 18 wall regulator in light oak. 221097.
This is the Grand-daddy of the school clock form, which all American clock collectors recognize. This large oak-cased wall clock measures approximately 54 inches long, 20.25 inches wide, and 5.5 inches deep. Big regulators like this one are visually pleasing. The gentle motion of the seconds-beating pendulum is a sight to see.
This is an oak case example. The oak wood is a light color. It is bright and clean. The bezel is in excellent condition. It is fitted with glass, which is held in place by a brass trim ring. This protects the dial.
The painted dial measures 14 inches in diameter and is painted on a zinc pan. This is in excellent original condition, which is remarkable for a Seth Thomas clock. The dial is formatted with a time track that displays the hours with Roman numeral style figures, a closed minute ring with triangular-shaped five-minute markers, a subsidiary seconds dial is located above the center arbor, and the Maker’s name is printed in block lettering. It is displayed just above the six o’clock hour, and the statement, “MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” is located at the bottom of the dial below the time ring.
The movement is brass and is of very good quality. The weight-powered movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It incorporates both a Graham deadbeat escapement and maintaining power. This movement is secured to the case by an iron bracket that is screwed to the backboard. The pendulum also hangs from this bracket. The pendulum is constructed with a shaped wooden rod (painted black) and a large brass-covered bob. The weight is also covered in a brass sleeve matching the finish found on the bob.
An engraved brass swing indicator is mounted behind the bob onto the backboard. You will find the manufacturer’s label at the bottom of the case.
This clock was made circa 1905.
Inventory number 221097.
Seth Thomas was born in Wolcott, Connecticut, in 1785. He was apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner and worked building houses and barns. He started in the clock business in 1807, working for clockmaker Eli Terry. Thomas formed a clock-making partnership in Plymouth, Connecticut, with Eli Terry and Silas Hoadley as Terry, Thomas & Hoadley. In 1810, he bought Terry's clock business, making tall clocks with wooden movements. Seth chose to sell his shares in the partnership in 1812, moving in 1813 to Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut, where he set up a factory to make metal-movement clocks. In 1817, he added shelf and mantel clocks. By the mid-1840s, He successfully transitioned to brass movements and expanded his operations by building a brass rolling mill and a cotton factory. In 1853, He incorporated the business but continued to be the majority shareholder. This clock business expanded until it became one of the "BIG Seven" in Connecticut. Their product line had offerings that competed at every price point, from kitchen clocks to precision regulators. Seth Thomas died in 1859. The community of Plymouth Hollow so revered him that they changed the name on July 6, 1875, to Thomaston in his honor. After his death, his son, Aaron, took over the company's leadership. Aaron is credited with increasing the business by adding a number of new case styles and improving production methods. The company went out of business in the 1980s.
