Seth Thomas Sentinel #2 Age and Value???

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:39 pm     Post subject: Seth Thomas Sentinel #2 Age and Value???

I found this clock at what seems to be a good value but I can't find anything on the age or value of it. Any help that someone here could give would be greatly appreciated??

Seth Thomas Sentinel Link

Thanks for your help.

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:50 pm     Post subject:

I believe that tambour clocks were introduced by Seth Thomas in the early 1900's, so the assembly would be (about) 100 years old (give or take a few years) at most. At least, if what I have read prior is correct.

Most Seth Thomas clocks produced between 1885 and 1920 (give or take, once again) have a date code stamped in ink on the case back panel (or something to that nature). According to a site which delves into company history, the date code was usually the year of production (reversed) followed by a letter which would represent the month (A-L; A= Jan, etc). For example: March of 1908 would look something like this - - 8091 C.

Value is a harder thing to establish - as it can be dictated by current market demand as well as total overall condition - but the clock looks to be in nice shape. In my 2003 Pocket Field Guide to Clocks, tambour mantel style clocks would value between $75 to $250. They list and illustrate a pretty stark tambour assembly from Seth Thomas valued at about $85 (the one in your link is slightly more up-scale). Note - that is 2003 pricing. You could see some increase, or even decrease, based upon current demand.

The NAWCC would be another place where you could dig up more info and solidify some facts on the assembly.

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:21 pm     Post subject:

The date code is on the bottom of the case and is read in reverse. For example, 2091 would be the code for 1902. That clock is in very good condition and the movement looks like the 89 style from about 1928 or so. The earlier 89 movements had solid one piece back plates and that one is two pieces bolted or riveted together. Those clocks sold new for something like $30-40 and in pristine condition today could be worth about $250.

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:05 pm     Post subject:

Thanks for the info 48 & Chris. I am new to the clock world and appreciate the info.