Grandfather clocks were originally known as floor clocks or long case clocks. A song written in 1875 called “The Grandfather’s Clock” told the story of an aging floor clock that stood in the George Hotel in North Yorkshire, England. Two brothers managed the hotel. The clock began slowly losing time immediately upon the death of one of the brothers, and upon the death of the second brother, the floor clock stopped working altogether despite numerous attempts to have the clock repaired. Eventually new management gained control of the George Hotel, but the clock remained in place as a tribute to the two brothers who had faithfully managed the hotel for so many years. The term “grandfather clock” caught on quickly after the song became widely known and since then, what were originally known as floor clocks are commonly called Grandfather Clocks and are a cherished part of our culture.

Over the years there have been numerous improvements to time-keeping devices and grandfather clocks are no exception. In modern times, a grandfather clock is a statement of excellent taste and firmly rooted tradition. Grandfather clocks are commonly a family heirloom that is passed down through the generations. Grandfather clocks vary somewhat in size, but are generally 6 to eight feet tall and lend a stately appearance to any room. You can also find smaller versions of grandfather clocks, which are known as grandmother and granddaughter clocks. Families for centuries have passed a cherished grandfather clock from one generation to the next, and today there are grandfather clocks with great historical and sentimental value. Some of the oldest known grandfather clocks are still used as the models for the grandfather clocks we purchase today. You will also be able to find more modern version of the grandfather clock in varying styles and colors.

Each time you see a grandfather clock, remind yourself of where this term originated and give a bit of thought to the long history of these treasured timepieces and heirlooms. If you do not own a grandfather clock you will be happy to know that it is easy to start your own family heirloom and you will be able to find the perfect grandfather clock in all price ranges.

What you need to know before buying antique clocks online, in order to prevent making the most common mistakes that many do.

Collecting Antiques is a passion many know too well, many of these antique these collections are surprisingly valuable and extremely interesting and valuable.

The majority of clocks that were made from the 15th to the middle of the 17th century are now mostly in museums and a small percentage in different individuals’ private collection. Most people will never set eyes on these timekeepers nor will be able to recognize them.

Those antique clocks that were made during the 1800’s through the early 1900’s are more in number since the periods mentioned were the time when clocks and watches were produced in mass quantities.

Antique clocks from the mid 1600s still exist. Some of these are worth well over $70,000. Some extremely rare models are worth over $100,000. A wise consumer, before spending this type of money, would have any prospective clock appraised before purchase.

Everyone thinking of investing in antique items will be surprised at all the things that they first need to know, before you go out and buy antique items. This is because, as with any other purchase, there are a number of things that you need to research so that you can avoid making a mistake in your purchases. Today this has become very true for antiques because of the proliferation of antique reproductions, which can make finding authentic antique items very confusing. One example that you should know with regard to antique items is the language that antique sellers and antique enthusiast use to describe items. This is because knowing the language they speak can greatly help you with your decisions.

An antique clock is unusual in the world of antiques in that it is a working piece of art, or should be in order to get the most enjoyment and value. I would definitely think twice about attempting to buy a clock that is not working and expect that it will be easy to get it up and running. It may be neither easy nor maybe even impossible. Often it takes a skilled clock maker to repair a clock and it is usually not cheap. That being said, perhaps you may get a better deal on a non-working clock if you know someone to repair it or can do it yourself.

The antique clock is primarily a timepiece after all. I have had the pleasure to have owned some and been in homes that had them and I can personally attest to the soothing feeling mentioned previously that comes from the hour on the hour ( or even half hour) chime or bell in the middle of the night. To me it is somewhat like a fog horn, lonesome and soothing at the same time.

These timeless treasures are available at flea markets, estate sales, local auctions, and through newspaper ads. Antique clocks can also sometimes be found at online auction sites. To be certain of a clock’s authenticity, you should only buy from a trusted and reputable seller. Read any listing carefully to ensure that the product you are buying is truly an antique. In addition to online auctions, established auction houses hold auctions for antique grandfather clocks, although these may happen only twice a year.

What you need to know before buying antique clocks online, in order to prevent making the most common mistakes that many do.

One place to find cheap antique clocks online is: http://www.antiqueclockradio.com/

In the last post, we looked at the impact the Internet has had on all of our lives. The convenience it has afforded us has allowed us to do everything from shop to work online and most of us have become so dependent on its conveniences that we are often hard pressed to find another option.

However, being the age that I am, I reverted to past behavior when I found myself in need of a wall clock for my family room. Wanting something really special to hang above my fireplace, I went in search of a bricks and mortar location; as I couldn’t imagine finding something of high enough quality online. But when I pulled the phone directory out and began to leaf through it, my teenage daughter stopped me in my tracks with “Are you kidding me mom?”

She logged on within seconds and had me at this amazing website where I found all of the most stunning, high quality (and affordable!) clocks I could ever hope to find in a retail outlet – and then some! Everything from grandfather clocks and mantel clocks to wall clocks and atomic clocks were on this one site and easy to browse by style, price, or manufacturer.

In found the wall clock I was looking for and it only took minutes. Within a few days it was delivered to my door and every time I look at it I am reminded of the luxuries I am privileged to have access to online.

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“Just imagine the chiming of a Grandfather Clock – that is the sound that turns a house into a home…”

Around 1875, the American songwriter Henry Work was staying at the George Hotel during a trip to England. He was told the unique story of their old clock and it’s previous owner, and after seeing the clock for himself, he decided to write a song about the fascinating coincidence that the clock stopped forever the moment its owner died. Mr. Work returned to America and published the song that sold over a million copies of sheet music about the clock grandfather entitled “My Grandfather’s Clock”. Until that time, clocks such as the one in the old George Hotel were given various names, but only since Henry Work’s song have large upright clocks been called ‘Grandfather Clocks’.

Grandfather clocks, also sometimes known as ‘Coffin Clocks’, come in a huge variety of sizes and designs, ranging from antiques built by famous clock makers several centuries ago, to those made today.

Pendulum clocks were developed by clockmakers in the mid 1600’s in a bid to obtain a greater degree of time-keeping accuracy. By giving them longer pendulums, clocks kept better time. These long-pendulum clocks were placed in tall wooden cases so that they could stand upright on the floor.

Since then, Grandfather clocks have become very popular items of household furniture, and have appeared in a huge variety of cases – many styles of which became fashionable, and then fell out of favor as fashion tastes changed. Grandfather clocks were sometimes embellished with ornate woodcarving, and often came complete with chimes, tunes, and moon-phase dials.

Clock collecting is a serious passion for many clock lovers around the world. Today, some antique clocks from the 1600’s to 1700’s fetch tens of thousands of dollars.

Today’s consuming public is used to a high level of convenience, afforded to them by the Internet. The conventional meaning for “legwork” – referring to the effort and research that shoppers would traditionally put into finding the perfect product is now work that is done on a virtual – rather than physical – level. Shopping has become something that is done from a work or home computer; with the click of a few keys consumers can compare and contrast similar products in terms of quality, performance, and price. Even products for which consumers may not expect to be able to shop online are readily available; such as clocks.

Clocks are something to which people rarely give much thought – until they are in the market to buy one. Hanging from our walls, sitting atop our mantels, standing in the corners of our rooms, or perching on the edge of a bedroom nightstand, clocks are something that we take for granted in terms of their functionality. But shopping for clocks becomes more than just finding a functional clock – it becomes about finding a clock that works with the overall design of the home; something that can be accomplished online.

Suppliers such as 1-800-4CLOCKS that offer online services understand the importance of offering high quality products in a way that is most convenient and acceptable for modern consumers. Customers can logon and find clocks of all types - mantel clocks, wall clocks, atomic clocks, grandfather clocks, and styles – contemporary, traditional, antique – from the comfort of their home. By having this convenient service, clock manufacturers such as 1-800-4CLOCKS allow shoppers to take the time to examine the many styles of clocks available to them and decide what will work best for their home.

Visit me on the web at [http://www.lazinniahomedecor.com]LaZinnia Home Decor and Gifts

The spring is just about on the horizon – waiting to replace the winter’s chilling winds and bare trees with warmer breezes and new buds. As humans we have many rituals associated with the coming of the spring season; emerging from our winter cocoon and airing out our homes for the arrival of the warmer months. Spring cleaning is one of our many traditions associated with the leaving of winter and the coming of spring. We pull apart our rooms, rotate wardrobes, clean curtains, dust baseboards, move furniture, and basically deep clean our personal space. In the midst of all this attention to detail we are sure to notice the clocks in our home – those that sit on mantels, stand in corners, or alert us to the time from our bedroom nightstands.

Clocks deserve a little spring cleaning of their own in the way of a gentle dusting and a wipe down of the exterior. After all, they’ve been gathering dust for some time now and the accumulation of dust can have an impact on the time telling capabilities of a clock. This spring, when you’re going over the rest of your home with a fine toothed comb be sure to turn your attention to your clocks by:

* Moving mantel clocks to dust under and around them. Use a soft cloth to gently wipe the face of the glass face of the clock and along the sides. If the glass face opens you can go ahead and gently dust inside the face of the clock taking care not to touch the actual hands of the clock.

* Gently removing wall clocks from their spot in order to perform the same gentle cleaning.

* Dusting the outside of grandfather clocks or grandmother clocks. Any additional service should be done by a professional in order to preserve the integrity of the clocks.

by Dean Forster