Dear Helaine and Joe:
I have enclosed photographs of a clock handed down to me by my great-uncle. He purchased it at an estate sale around 1931 and I received it around 1972. The clock ticks, chimes, and keeps time - albeit not always accurate time. There was a label on the back (now turned to dust) and on the face it is marked "Made by Sessions Clock Co. Forestville, Conn. USA." Any information and the value would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
J. D., Chicago, Ill.
Dear J. D.:
Since the early to mid-19th century there have been a number of clock makers plying their trade in the United States. Some of them are names that most people have never heard of - Mitchell, Atkins & Company; Birge & Malloy; Mark Leavenworth, and the Elisha Manross to name just a few. But others are far more famous.
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Nearly everyone who is interested in clocks knows the name Seth Thomas, Ansonia, The New Haven Clock Company, and the Waterbury Clock Company. "Sessions" is another famous name in clock making, and it was one of the companies that ushered this industry into the age of electricity.
The Sessions Clock Co. was founded in 1903 when William E. Sessions and some of his family members took over part of the E. N. Welsh Co. in Forestville, Conn. Sessions' father's foundry in Bristol, Conn., had made clock cases for Welsh, and William had become interested in clock making.
Until the 1930s, Sessions made a wide variety of clocks including advertising wall clocks for businesses, regulator clocks, and various styles of shelf and mantels. Starting in the 1930s, the company began to make electric clocks and timers, and by the end of World War II, it was making electric movements that other companies placed in various kinds of cases, mainly metal and china.
Ownership changes started occurring in the late 1950s, and Sessions was finally liquidated in 1970.
The mantel clock belonging to J. D. was probably made circa 1910 and it is typical of the kind of mantel clocks Sessions was making at the time.
Although J. D. did not tell us, the case is probably cast-iron that was painted or enameled black. It also has red faux marble accents above the gilded columns that are found on either side of the clock face.
This clock probably has a brass 8 day movement with half hour strike and a "cathedral gong." The paper on the back that is referred to in the letter as having crumbled into dust in all likelihood read "Notice" and went on to say that the pendulum and key were fastened to the bottom of the clock and below there were "Directions for Striking," and how "To Regulate."
It is almost certain that this clock is 15 1/2 inches wide and 10 1/2 inches tall. We mention this because J. D. did not tell us, and that piece of information needs to be included in every query sent to us.
In any event, this clock is pictured in Encyclopedia of Antique American Clocks by Robert W. and Harriett Swedberg (Krause Publications, page 185).
The insurance replacement value for this working Sessions mantel clock is between $225 and $275.
(Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of the "Price It Yourself" (HarperResource, $19.95). Questions can be mailed to them at Treasures in Your Attic; 5201 Kingston Pike, Suite 6 - 323; Knoxville, TN. 37919)
