Charles Alvah Smith of Brattleboro, Vermont. No. 366. A wag on the wall clock. 216001.
This beautiful example is signed and dated. It was made in June of 1943 and is numbered 366. The case is constructed of maple and exhibits bold tiger striping. The grain pattern in tiger maple is interesting and is enhanced with a honey-tinted finish. This case is also inlaid. The pattern is a linear form that is built from concentric squares. This pattern frames the backboard's perimeters and the hood's front. The case joinery is tight and well-executed. The wooden geared movement is wonderfully made and nicely detailed. It features a roller verge. Windows on the sides of the case allow one to inspect the gearing without removing the hood. This clock is powered by a weight that is decoratively designed. It features an eight-sided wooden canister decorated with line inlays and nicely constructed. The length of the drop determines the length of the run. This clock will run from a normal mounting position for almost two days. This drive system requires a counterweight. This is also constructed of wood and is decorated. The pendulum bob is also inlaid. An inlaid star is centered in the bob, suspended by a turned and nicely shaped wooden rod. The dial is paper and applied to a wooden backboard. The black illustrates Smith's drafting skills. Small florals are located in the lower corners. They are now somewhat faint. The hands are carved from maple and indicate the time on a time ring with Roman-style numerals.
This Vermont-made treasure measures approximately 26 inches long from the top of the bonnet to the bottom of the pendulum. The backboard is 13 inches tall and 6.75 inches wide. This clock sits out from the wall, 5.25 inches.
It is inventory number 216001.
Charles Alvah Smith was a maker of very interesting wooden cased and wooden geared clocks. He was born on his grandfather’s farm in Guilford, Vermont, on November 3, 1866. His parents, Sanford Alvah Smith and Ellen (Hunt) Smith, had three children. His father, Sanford, owned and operated a business that made carriages for children and later other various wood products like wooden sleds, tricycles, and children’s toys. Charles joined this business in 1889 and quickly moved up through the company ranks. It is here that he learned the trade of fine woodworking. Sometime around 1820, Charles retired after 35 years of involvement in the family business. While in retirement, he developed many relationships with various local business enterprises as a designer. A clever person, he was awarded as many as six patents that are mechanical in nature. One patent is for a foot pedal starter used in an automobile. A patent second was for a circular wood-cutting table saw. An example of his involvement with local businesses was his involvement with the Franklin Motor Car Company. He advised their planning and production divisions.
Charles was a Yankee. He collected wood scraps from his furniture-making business and began making clocks in his home workshop. He first presented them as gifts and soon went into production sometime in 1931 until he died in 1946. During this time, he produced approximately 619 clocks. In fact, No. 619 is a clock that I have seen. Charles made each clock from start to finish. He made the entire clock to his very high-quality standards. For additional information regarding his interesting person, please read Charles Alvah Smith: Vermont Maker of Unusual Wood Clocks, written by John M. Anderson. This is a soft cover, 60-plus page description of this ingenious Yankee clockmaker, which was published by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) in December of 1990.
We have owned and seen a fair number of these clocks over the years. Some of the numbers include numbers 10,109,138,162, 203, 266, 366, 368, 484, 493, 495, 506, 573, 605 and 607.
