Seth Thomas Clock & Pocket Watch Ephemera
We are presently utilizing a combined page for Seth Thomas Clock and Pocket Watch Ephemera. If the time arrives when it seems appropriate to split the collection into separate clock and pocket watch ephemera pages, we will make that happen. Enjoy!!
Seth Thomas 1909-1910 Catalogue of Clocks No 675
The 1909-1910 Seth Thomas Catalogue of Clocks No. 675 dedicated only one, the last, page to pocket watches. On that page they provided insightful clarification of descriptive information for collectors. Three cased pocket watches are shown across the top of the page, each with a different class of dial and hands. They highlight the differences between “regular numerals and hands”, “heavy numerals and hands”, and “railroad numerals and hands”.
The twelve pocket watch movements include (left to right and top to bottom):
0-Size Model 20 - Grade 1 0-Size Model 20 - Grade 3 6-Size Model 15 - Eagle Series 6-Size Model 14 - Grade 119
18-Size Model 8 - Grade 36 18-Size Model 5 - Grade 47 18-Size Model 5 - Grade 57 18-Size (Model 5) Grade 149
18-Size Model 5 - Grade 182 18-Size Model 5 - Grade 382 18-Size Model 5 - Grade 260 18-Size Model 5 - Maiden Lane
This catalog page also provides an historical reference to a governmental assessment and comparison of watches for us by the United States Navy in which Seth Thomas “stood first” and “averaged the best” among all one hundred thirty-eight competing brands.
“’The United States Navy desiring to buy twenty moderate-priced watches, invited the leading American manufacturers to send watches for trial and rating at the Naval Observatory in October and November last. One hundred and thirty-eight watches of different makes were sent in. It has been officially announced that a Seth Thomas Watch stood first in the trial and the Seth Thomas Watches averaged the best’. Philadelphia Times, Feb. 18 1890.”
I could not find this reference in the February 18, 1890 edition of the Philadelphia Times; but did find it published on Page 5 in Philadelphia Times on Feb. 19 1890.
Seth Thomas Catalogue of Clocks No. 675 - Original Paper Page
1910 Image of Seth Thomas Tower Clock in
Green Bay Wisconsin County Court House
1910 - Image of Seth Thomas Tower Clock in the Green Bay Wisconsin Court House Tower
Seth Thomas Clock Co. Letter - Donating a Seth Thomas Centennial Medal
To the American Numismatic Society in 1914
Above is the October 1914 correspondence from the Seth Thomas Clock Company to the American Numismatic Society acknowledging their impending donation of a Seth Thomas Centennial Medal to the American Numismatic Society from whom my first Centennial Medal, probably not the medal donated via this letter, was purchased in 2023.
Centennial Medals -Seth Thomas - Donation Letter - 1914 - Electronic Copy
The Seth Thomas Centennial Medals
In the summer of 1913 the Seth Thomas Clock Company issued Centennial Medals to celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of the original founding of the company in 1813. The medals were designed by Seth Thomas jr., the great-grandson of the founder of the Seth Thomas Clock Company. The Centennial Medals were two and one half inches (2 1/2”) in diameter, struck in bronze with a gold finish. The obverse displays a portrait of Seth Thomas, in relief. Around the edge it reads “To Commemorate The 100th Year of Seth Thomas Clock Co”. At the sides of the portrait “ Seth Thomas” and “1785-1859” is inscribed. On the reverse there is a figure representing Father Time holding a pendulum in his right hand swinging over a scale marked 1813 - 1913. The pendulum ball bears the Seth Thomas trade mark. In Father Time’s left hand is a scythe. To his right is an hourglass.
Centennial Medal -Seth Thomas - 1913
Employee Badge from Seth Thomas Clock Factory
A badge to identify employees on the factory floor, obverse reads “Seth Thomas Clocks” around the entire upper half of the perimeter, and a large “598” at the center of the button; reverse is stamped “W&H Co” for Whitehead & Hoag Co., the leading pin backed button maker in the United States from 1896 - 1959.
Employee Badge -Seth Thomas Clock Company - manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag
1904 Letter from Seth E. Thomas to Employee Receiving a Raise
April 22, 1904
Dear Mr. DeLuca
We appreciate very highly your services for the past year and will increase your salary ten percent from May 1st
Yours truly
Seth Thomas Clock Co
Seth E. Thomas
Tres
1904 Seth E. Thomas Correspondence - Original Paper Page with Certificate of Authenticity
1907 Seth Thomas Model 17 Pocket Watch with the Original Retail Box,
Leather Pouch, Guarantee and Care Instructions
I started collecting Seth Thomas clocks and watches in August of 2022 and the first clock that I purchased was a special promotional model, Shasta Larkin, manufactured specially for Larkin Soap Company and only available through Larkin Soap Company. The only way to obtain one was to purchase enough Larkin Soap Company products and collect sufficient reward coupons to order one as a Larkin customer reward. Many of us haven’t heard about the Larkin Company because they went out of business in 1942; but they were second only to Sears, Roebuck & Company at one time.
In my opinion the original Seth Thomas Shasta Mantel Clock was of a higher quality than the special ordered Shasta Larkin Mantel Clock; but I really like the story behind the one that I own, and having received the paperwork that came with this “new” pocket watch in April of 2023 makes the story of both timepieces really come to life in a much more tangible way.
Movement with original retail packaging, guarantee, and care instructions - Seth Thomas Model 17 Serial Number 903812
This 1907 Seth Thomas 6-size hunting Model 17 pocket watch was manufactured with a two-tone finished 3/4 plate, 7 jewels, and it is non-adjusted. The movement is stem wound and lever set, with a Breguet hair spring, and plain/simple regulator. Its serial number is 903812, and its grade is Seth Thomas numbered grade 35. The movement is signed “Seth Thomas Thomaston, Conn.”.
The movement presents with a 6-size Seth Thomas # 1203 Roman dial with a ring minute track and black five-minute marginals, fitted with Seth Thomas #1271 blued spade hands 6-size.
The movement is cased in its original 6-size Illinois Watch Case Company 20-year 14k gold-filled hunting watch case, serial number 1175945. The watch also has its original retail box, guarantee, leather pouch, and care instructions.
Movement with its Original Factory Tin and Cardboard Movement Holder
Seth Thomas Model 16 11 jewel, grade 105 movement with serial number 405092 with its original watch factory cardboard movement holder, marked “Seth Thomas Thomaston, Conn.” around the perimeter, and the large grade number “105” in the center, overwritten with “6-SIZE”, “HTG. 11 JEWEL”, “405092”, “SAFETY PINION”, “LEVER SET”, “COMPENSATION BALANCE”, “GILT & NICKEL FINISH”; and with its original factory tin embossed with “SETH THOMAS THOMASTON, CONN. around the perimeter of the lid, and on a paper tag attached to the center of the lid marked “105” in the center and overwritten with “405092”, and “11 J”, and “HTG”.
Movement with original factory tin and cardboard movement holder - Seth Thomas Model 16 Serial Number 405092
Seth Thomas Watch Factory Tin & Cardboard Movement Holders
One Seth Thomas Factory Cardboard Movement Holder & Six Seth Thomas Watch Factory Tin Movement Holders
The finished pocket watch movements are inserted into the soft cardboard movement holders, for protection of its finish from hard objects, immediately after production at the factory, and then the cardboard movement holders were placed into the hard tin movement holders for additional protection from crushing forces. Both movement holders are marked with the detailed specifications and serial number of the movement that they contain. The movements were then sold and distributed to wholesalers who might place them in, or sell them separately along with, pocket watch cases, if that was the request of the retail jewelry store making the purchase; but the movements frequently remained in the nested factory cases, and not placed into pocket watch cases, until they arrived at the retail jewelry store, who’s owner may have purchased the pocket watch case separately from a different wholesaler.
1. Watch Factory Cardboard movement holder, marked “Seth Thomas Thomaston, Conn.” around the perimeter, and the large grade number “36” in the center, overwritten with “18-SIZE”, “O.F. 7 JEWEL”, “701661”, “SAFETY PINION”, “LEVER SET”, “COMPENSATION BALANCE”, “GILT & NICKEL FINISH”
2. Watch Factory Tin Movement Holder embossed with “SETH THOMAS THOMASTON, CONN. around the perimeter of the lid, and the paper tag attached to the center of the lid is missing.
3. Watch Factory Tin Movement Holder embossed with “SETH THOMAS THOMASTON, CONN. around the perimeter of the lid, and on a paper tag attached to the center of the lid marked “105” in the center and overwritten with “6 SIZE”, “HTG”, “11 J” and “NICKEL AND GILT DAMASKEENED”.
4. Watch Factory Tin Movement Holder embossed with “SETH THOMAS THOMASTON, CONN. around the perimeter of the lid, and the paper tag attached to the center of the lid is missing.
5. Watch Factory Tin Movement Holder embossed with “SETH THOMAS THOMASTON, CONN. around the perimeter of the lid, and on a paper tag attached to the center of the lid marked “18 SIZE GILDED”, “33”, “7 JEWEL. S.W.” and “No. 31303”, “3 - 4 PLATE” and OPEN FACE.
6. Watch Factory Tin Movement Holder embossed with “SETH THOMAS THOMASTON, CONN. around the perimeter of the lid, and the paper tag attached to the center of the lid is missing.
7. Watch Factory Tin Movement Holder embossed with “SETH THOMAS THOMASTON, CONN. around the perimeter of the lid, and on a paper tag attached to the center of the lid marked “18 SIZE GILDED”, “159”, “15 JEWEL. P.S.” and “No. 278497”, “FULL PLATE” and OPEN FACE.
Watch Factory Cardboard and Tin Movement Holders - Seth Thomas Watch Company
Jeweler’s Trade Card
Seth Thomas Watch - On Time
The Seth Thomas Jeweler’s Trade Card shown above was provided by the Seth Thomas Watch Company to jewelers selling Seth Thomas pocket watches. The local jeweler could then stamp his own business name and address or other information on the card for distribution to customers. Jewelers’ Trade Cards were a popular method of advertising in the late 1800’s. They were small colorful cards that would present the business name, products, and address. Some gave directions to the business or showed a small map.
Jeweler’s Trade Card - Seth Thomas - On Time - Late 1800’s - Heavy Paper Stock
Lake Shore Pioneer - Fast Mail Line - Lapel Pin
Lake Shore Pioner Fast Mail Line was a component of the USPS Railway Mail Service
Lake Shore is a private label pocket watch in Seth Thomas Model 5, Model 18, and Model 24.
Metal Lapel Pin - Manufactured by Bastian Bros Co. of Rochester New York
Railway Post Office - Pocket Watch Fob
Railway Post Office was a component of the USPS Railway Mail Service
Metal Pocket Watch Fob - Manufactured by Green Duck Co. of Chicago Illinois
Keystone Watch Case Company - Watch Case Opener
According to C.B. Clark’s Directory - 1890, Mrs. K. J. Smith was a jeweler living at 1305 Eleventh Avenue in Altoona Pennsylvania.
Keystone Watch Case Company - Watch Case Opener - K.J. Smith Jeweler - Altoona Pennsylvania
Keystone Watch Case Company - Watch Case Opener
This was listed for sale as a Keystone Watch Case Company - Watch Case Opener - Souvenir of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition (World’s Fair) in Chicago Illinois. I do not know if it is an original piece or a replica.
Keystone Watch Case Company - Watch Case Opener - World’s Columbian Exposition - Chicago - 1893
Seth Thomas Advertisement from Magazine NOS
Above are advertisements, from an unidentified 1915 magazine or catalog, for Seth Thomas pocket watches on Page 103, and on the back of the sheet, Page 104, is an advertisement for Ingersoll pocket watches; from an unidentified 1915 magazine or catalog.
The Seth Thomas pocket watches across the top of page 103 are the “new” 1913 Centennial Grade watches, the 6-size Pendant Set Model 24, the 12-size Pendant Set Model 22, and the 16-size Pendant Set Model 21. On the lower left portion of the page are Seth Thomas 0-size Model 20 and 6-size Pendant Set Model 24 are each shown in a special watch case that allows them to be worn on a leather wrist strap. On the lower right portion of the page are the 18-size 1906 Model 8 Companion travel timepiece, a pocket watch cased in a leather covered bronze block, and the 16-size 1913 Pendant Model 21 Tourist travel timepiece, a 16-size pocket watch in a folding leather case/stand.
NOS Magazine or Catalog -Seth Thomas -Advertisement - 1915 - Original Paper Page
Seth Thomas Advertisement from Magazine NOS
Above are advertisements for Seth Thomas clocks on Page 777 and Page 778 from an unidentified 1915 magazine or catalog.
In the upper right hand corner of Page 777 is an image of the 1906-1907 Model 4 Traveler travel timepiece, a key-wound and key-set pocket watch cased in a leather covered bronze block; slightly larger than the Model 8 Companion travel timepiece. The images of clocks are 1904-1913 Seth Thomas Metal Novelty Mantel Clocks. They include the 1913 Cherubs, Bona, 1908 Natty, 1908 Prim, 1913 Dainty, 1913 Petite, the 1906 School Girl, the 1908 Bouquet, the 1905 Bungalow, the 1913 Jacket, and the 1904 Night Clock B.
Page 778 contains advertisements for 1884-1913 Seth Thomas Hanging Clocks. They include the 1900 10-inch Drop Octagon, 1894 Umbria, 1913 8-inch Drop Octagon Calendar Clock, 1904 Office No. 5, 1909 Hudson, and 1884 Office No. 2.
NOS Magazine or Catalog -Seth Thomas -Advertisement - 1915 - Original Paper Page
Seth Thomas Private Label Movements Sold in 1909 John M. Smyth Catalog
Above are advertisements for Seth Thomas private label pocket watches on Page 218 and Page 219 from the 1909 John M. Smyth & Company catalog, “Dictionary of Economy”. John M. Smyth & Company was a very large retail outlet chain, founded in 1867, headquartered in Chicago Illinois, until the last store closed in 2005.
In the upper right-hand side of Page 218 are images of the Lakesite and Stratford U.S.A. private label movements that Seth Thomas manufactured for John M. Smyth & Company.
In the upper right-hand side of Page 219 are images of the Century U.S.A. and Republic U.S.A. private label movements that Seth Thomas manufactured. Century U.S.A. had originally been produced for Sears, Roebuck & Company for their retail catalog. When Sears discontinued its Century U.S.A. line in favor of the Edgemere line, also manufactured by Seth Thomas, overstock was sold to other retail and wholesale houses. Republic U.S.A. was manufactured by Seth Thomas for the Illinois Watch Case Company who then resold them to retail and wholesale houses.
NOS Magazine or Catalog -Seth Thomas -Advertisement - 1915 - Original Paper Page
Seth Thomas Advertisement from 1880’s Scribner’s Magazine
Above is the advertisement for Seth Thomas pocket watches on Page 56 and other sundry items continued from Page 55 of an 1880’s Scribner’s magazine.
In the upper right hand corner of Page 55 is an image of the strong, durable, and accurate 1885 Model 1 pocket watch, a stem-wound and lever-set pocket watch with a gilt finish, and 11 jewels at grade 44.
Scribner’s Magazine -Seth Thomas Advertisement - 1880’s - Original Paper Page
1907 Postcard of Seth Thomas Factory - Watch & Marine Shop
1907 - Seth Thomas Watch & Marine Shop
1908 Postcard of Seth Thomas Factory
1908 - Seth Thomas Movement Department
1915 Postcard of Seth Thomas Factory
1915 - Seth Thomas Watch Factory
1920’s Postcard of Seth Thomas Factory
I took this photograph on a quick visit to Thomaston, Conn. in 2022, when I first started collecting Seth Thomas clocks and watches, never having seen the postcard before. The photographs were taken about one-hundred years apart.
1920’s - Seth Thomas Clock Factory
1943 Postcard of Seth Thomas Factory
1943 - Aerial Photograph of Seth Thomas Clock Factory