Seth Thomas Clock Company
Miscellaneous Seth Thomas Related Documents & Items
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
1910 Image of Seth Thomas Tower Clock in
Pine Island Minnesota City Hall
1910 - Image of Seth Thomas Tower Clock in the Pine Island Minnesota City Hall Tower
1953 Image of 1872 Seth Thomas Tower Clock
Gap Pennsylvania Town Clock Relocated
1953 Image of 1872 Seth Thomas Tower Clock - Gap Pennsylvania Town Clock Relocated
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
Carpenter’s Level from Seth Thomas Maiden Lane Office & Outlet
A carpenter’s level used by the Seth Thomas Clock Company around 1896-1901 when the New York office was at 49 Maiden Lane. The office moved a couple of times, to 51 Maiden Lane and then to 15 Maiden Lanel. The level bears a patent date of June 23, 1896.
Carpenter’s Level -Seth Thomas Clock Company 49 Maiden Lane - manufactured by Stanley Rule & Level Co.
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 Larkin Company
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. 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
1880’s 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
Walter Grunert - Oconto, WI. is a high-grade private label pocket watch in Seth Thomas Model 2.
Walter Hermann Grunert was born on February 5, 1862, in Appleton, Wisconsin. His family moved to Oconto and Walter became very active in community activities there, serving as the manger for the local baseball team, in his time away from his jewelry store. Mr. Grunert’s Seth Thomas 17-jewel, grade 508 private label Model 2 pocket watch was documented by Roy Ehrhardt in his Identification and Price Guide to American Pocket Watches from Beginning to End. At the turn of the twentieth century Walter moved his residence and business to Green Bay. He remained in Green Bay until his death in 1940.
The Trade Card below was from Walter Grunert’s time as a jeweler in Oconto, Wisconsin. It measures 4 3/4” tall and 3 1/2” wide.
Walter Grunert - Oconto, WI. (Not in STFS Collection)
Jeweler’s Trade Card - Special Watch Movements - They Are - Strong, Durable, and Accurate - Walter H. Grunert - Watchmaker and Jeweler, Oconto, Wis. - 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
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 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
1883 Work Order with 20 Murray Street Overwritten by 49 Maiden Lane Address for Seth Thomas Clock Company New York City Corporate Office
1883 - Work Order with 20 Murray Street Overwritten by 49 Maiden Lane Address
December 21, 1884, Bill Head with 20 Murray Street Address for Seth Thomas Clock Company New York City Corporate Office
1883 - Work Order with 20 Murray Street Overwritten by 49 Maiden Lane Address
To illustrate the spatial and temporal dimensions in which Seth Thomas mechanical pocket watches were manufactured, sold, and used Seth Thomas Fan Space (seththomasfan.com) utilizes period postcards, photographs, sketches and business documents throughout this website. It is important to remind ourselves that the Gilded Age was not the safe, clean, technological age with modern transportation and communication facilities that we are accustomed to in our lives.
While all of the manufacturing of Seth Thomas pocket watch movements took place at the factory buildings in Thomaston, Connecticut; the Corporate Office was at initially at 242 Elm Street in Thomaston.
Seth Thomas opened an office and retail outlet in New York City at 20 Murray Street (half-way between Broadway and Church Street) as shown in their 1884 & 1885 Illustrated Catalogue. Company stationary showed the address as 49 Maiden Lane starting in 1883, and 51 Maiden Lane was listed in the 1904 and 1905 Illustrated Price Lists. The 1908, 1909 and 1913 Illustrated Price Lists as well as the 1909-1910 Catalogue show the address to be 15 Maiden Lane. The postcard above shows the area around 63 Maiden Lane as it looked in 1906. The Seth Thomas office was located at either 51 Maiden Lane or 15 Maiden Lane at that time.
Seth Thomas also had other offices and retail outlets. In Chicago an office and retail outlet was located at 161 State Street in the 1880’s; and in the 20th Century at 70 Wabash Avenue as seen in the 1908 and 1909 Illustrated Price Lists as well as the 1909-1910 Catalogue. The Chicago office and store location was listed as 215 W. Randolph Street in the 1913 Illustrated Price List.
In San Francisco the Seth Thomas office and retail outlet was located at 132 Sutter Street.
In London England Seth Thomas had an office and retail outlet located at 16 Worship Street in the 1880’s and then at 153 Farringdon Road. The address was listed as 6-8-10 Clerkenwell Road in the 1909-1910 Catalogue.
The sketch below, “The Foot of Maiden Lane in New York City”, is signed by the artist, Frederick Leo Hunter. It shows the south end of Maiden Lane, at South Street, as appeared to him in 1881, quite different from its modern-day appearance. I purchased this because it reminds us how different the world was in the “Gilded Age” when Seth Thomas was manufacturing the mechanical pocket watches that we collect.
1901 Memorandum from the Seth Thomas Clock Company to Vendors
1901 - Memorandum from the Seth Thomas Clock Company to Vendors
1907 Postcard of Seth Thomas Factory - Watch & Marine Shop
1907 - Seth Thomas Watch & Marine Shop - Thomaston, Connecticut
1908 Postcard of Seth Thomas Factory Movement Department
1908 - Seth Thomas Factory Movement Department - Thomaston Connecticut
1914 Postcard of Seth Thomas Factory Movement Shop
1914 - Seth Thomas Movement Shop Thomaston, Connecticut
1915 Postcard of Seth Thomas Factory
1915 - Seth Thomas Watch Factory Thomaston, Connecticut
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 Thomaston, Connecticut
1930’s Postcard of Seth Thomas Clock Co. Plant No. 2
1943 - Aerial Photograph of Seth Thomas Clock Factory Thomaston, Connecticut
1943 Postcard of Seth Thomas Factory
1943 - Aerial Photograph of Seth Thomas Clock Factory Thomaston, Connecticut