Please see my other listings for more fine vintage and antique timepieces by Omega, Benson, Zenith and more.
I ship worldwide and will gladly combine the postage for multiple purchases.
*PLEASE READ* my terms and conditions at the bottom of the listing.
If you have less than 10 feedback you need to contact me to verify your bid.
No Reserve!
Fresh from a liquidation of fine and unusual antique timepieces…
Silver Plated
Flick / Ticket / Digital
'Plato' Carriage Clock
*Very Unusual Piece!*
A rare model antique Carriage type clock this piece is in original condition throughout and winding and running nicely.
This is known as a 'Plato Clock', my thanks to the ebayer who contacted me on seeing this listing and identified it. There is a superb online reference for the 'rare clock museum' that details this piece along with several variations, please see this link; http://rareclockmuseum.com/_wsn/page6.html
The site details that the Plato Clock was patented in 1903 by Eugene L. Fitch of NYC, patent # 733,180 and came in four basic models. Production was financed by Mr. Conrad Hubert, president and owner of The American Electrical Novelty and Manufacturing Company. The Plato clock was one of the feature items at the Ever Ready Exhibit, 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and appeared on Ever Ready Souveners and catalogs. Mr. Hubert called the Plato Clock "The Wonder of The New Century." It's thought around 40,000 Plato clocks were sold, but that they met with resistance at retail trade level and were therefore sold as novelty items.
The timepiece is in a silver plated case (I am assuming it to be plated as I cannot locate any hallmarks). This shows general signs of age as can be seen in the images with some tarnishing and isolated eruptions with fine surface pitting. All parts look to be completely original with no repairs or alterations.
The shaped handle to the top is nice and firm and the base is perfectly stable. The name ‘Ever Ready REGD’ is embossed to the top. As detailed on the Clock Museum site this was a promotional item on the Ever Ready stand at the 1904 St. Loius Worlds Fair.
The tubular glass is completely original and in perfect condition.
This clock is known as a ‘flick’, ‘ticket’ or ‘digital’ because of the rather unique display. Instead of the usual dial with hour and minute hands the hours and minutes here are represented by individual paper tickets; hours at the top and minutes underneath. At the expected intervals these are advanced by the rotating internal drum on which they are mounted. There are two fine blued steel pointers to keep them in place and the original ivorine hands top and bottom to indicate the time.
The timepiece is powered by a 30-hour drum type movement that is wound via the base. To wind the large lever is turned anti-clockwise. The hands are set by turning the central knurled knob anti-clockwise.
The advance-retard lever is visible through the curved aperture.
The clock is currently winding and running well but would doubtless benefit from a routine service as it has come from a collection and been dry stored for many years.
A very unusual addition to any collection this piece dates to 1904. Height from top to bottom (excluding handle) is 12.7cm and diameter is 8.6cm across the base.
Its here to sell with no hidden reserve so don’t miss out…
Have a go and GOOD LUCK!!
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Important information:
Given the number of fake and scam bidders please note the following protocols;
Bidders with feedback of -1 or more than 2 unpaid item strikes in the past 30 days are automatically barred from bidding on this item.
If you are new to eBay or have LESS THAN 10 FEEDBACK please CONTACT ME if you wish to bid. All I need is a brief courtesy email telling me who you are and how you would intend to pay if you where successful. Any suspicious bids will be cancelled. I have had a spate of ‘new’ eBay members who have either failed to make contact or pay for items after winning them so I am afraid these precautions are necessary to protect us all from these thoughtless individuals. If you use a bidsnipe programme to 'win' this item, have less than 10 feedback and have not contacted me as requested then I will offer the item to the underbidder if they have met these requirements.
I don’t give cash change to a fake money order either. If you’re thinking about scamming this one don’t. Any suspicious activity will be reported to eBay and the Police.
I do not guarentee the future timekeeping or watertightness of any antique timepieces.
Postage
Due to abuse of Paypals chargeback system I now only ship by insured and registered mail.
UK bidders ;
1st class recorded delivery £7. The next day Special Delivery with cover to £2500 will be £10. If you opt for an under-value insured postal option then you must accept all responsibility in doing so.
Overseas buyers;
Royal Mail offer the ‘International Signed For’ with maximum insurance to £500 which would be £10.50. UPS can ship most items fully insured for around £70 depending on size and weight. If you opt for an under-value insured postal option then you must accept all responsibility in doing so.
Please be aware that the majority of courier / postal services will not insure ‘antiques’ or ‘watches’ in the small print! I have only ever had two packages go missing in my hundreds of transactions on eBay. Both of these where ‘lost’ going to America and Royal mail paid out in full on both although it took about 8 weeks.
This piece will be sent in a substantially oversized box so the chances of it being ‘lost’ in the back of a postal van can be minimised.
Paypal: I can only accept Paypal payments by agreement to verified addresses.
Cheques: Unless you are known to me the goods will only be posted / delivered once payment has cleared. I can accept cheques in other currencies subject to a banking surcharge of £12 and exchange rate commensurate with that which my bank is buying the currency and not selling it. (For instance, GBP to USD exchange rates. Barclays where ‘buying’ USD at 2 to the GBP and ‘selling’ them at 1.92 to the GBP.) Foreign cheques take up to 31 days in which to clear.
As ever, if you have any questions or concerns please CONTACT ME!
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