Seth Thomas Office Calendar No. 8 in walnut. This is a double dial calendar wall clock. 220006.
This model is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the calendar clock models offered by the Seth Thomas Clock Company. The case is one of the largest and certainly the most graceful of the models offered. This model is easily identified by the pagoda top ornament positioned at the top of the case. This very unusual decorative detail is unique to this model. Because of the fragility of this decoration, it is often replaced. This pagoda is original to this example.
This fine example has a case constructed of walnut wood. The woodwork retains an original smooth finish. The several raised decorative panels are decorated with burl walnut veneers. Each selection features a vibrant and lively grain pattern. Other decorative design elements include turned wooden bezels that are fitted with brass rings, fully turned decorative columns that are positioned on the canted front corners of the case, wooden finials positioned on the upper corners, shaped moldings, a bracket base, a lower door and window allowing one to view and to access the brass faced pendulum bob and paneled sides. The Maker's directions for operation blue label can be found pasted inside the case to the back of the door.
The two dials measure 14 inches in diameter. They are painted on zinc. The upper dial was repainted some 50-plus years ago. It is very well done and exhibits a minor color mismatch to the lower dial, which has most likely developed over time. The black Roman hour numerals, closed minute time ring, sub-seconds dial, and ST trademark are presented in black. The spade hands are original to this clock. The lower 14-inch diameter calendar dial is in excellent original condition. This zinc dial is decorated with the date numerals 1 - 31 painted in black around the perimeter. Two rectangular-shaped apertures are cut open to allow one to view the month and day cylinders. These rolls are covered in their original paper. These cylinders are part of the perpetual calendar mechanism. This mechanism will automatically track the variation in the lengths of the months and, when set up correctly, leap year.
The 8-day brass weight-driven movement is a time-only design. The trapezoidal-shaped plates support the steel shafts that the gearing is fitted to. The front plate is die-stamped with the Seth Thomas trademark and the number 8. The movement features a Graham deadbeat escapement. This escapement is seconds beating. The movement also has maintaining or retaining power. The lead drive weight travels along the right side of the case. The pendulum features a long wooden rod that supports a damascened-decorated brass-covered bob.
This fine example measures approximately 67 inches long. It is 24 inches wide and 8.5 inches deep.
Interestingly, this clock was originally installed in the San Diego, California branch of the Bank of Italy. This branch was originally located at 4994 Newport Street in San Diego. This San Diego branch opened in 1927. The Bank of Italy was founded in San Francisco, California, on October 17, 1904, by Amadeo P. Giannini. This financial institution grew through a branch banking strategy. It became the Bank of America in 1930 when Giannini changed the name "Bank of Italy" to "Bank of America." The past owners of this clock have told me that their Grandfather was employed at this branch and was given the clock when they moved. It has been in their family for the last 90 years.
Inventory number 220006.
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.
