Terry clocks and more to be sold by Tim's, Inc., May 2 Possibly the most important collection of rare, early American Terry clocks ever sold at auction will be sold on Saturday, May 2, by Tim's, Inc., in Terryville, Conn. Other antiques will also be sold.
of their production prior to 1880 was for clocks with cast-iron cases. These were generally painted black, and had varying degrees of hand-striping and decoration. During this period, the company received patents for movement escapements and cast-iron case fronts, as well as for fishing reels, which it also made.
After Silas B. Terry died of heart disease in 1876, his sons continued to run the company until 1880, when it entered into bankruptcy. It was purchased by a group of investors from Pittsfield, Mass., which relocated the firm there in 1883. Three of the Terry brothers ran the operation (still called the Terry Clock Company) until 1888, when creditors took over the firm and changed the name to the Russell & Jones Clock Company. It operated for several more years, but shut down for good in 1892.
Terms for the May 2 auction will be a 15 percent buyer's premium for cash and known checks and 18 percent for major credit cards. Admission will come in the form of a suggested $5 donation to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, in memory of Peter W. Chapulis. To date, Tim's, Inc., has raised over $18,000 for the charity. There will be no online biding, but phone and absentee bids will be accepted.
Terryville is located between Litchfield and Hartford, above Waterbury. Consult Mapquest or Google Maps for directions. Tim's, Inc., is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them directly, at (860) 459-0964, or toll-free, (800) 255-8467. Or, you can e-mail them at tims.inc@snet.net. The firm is celebrating 30 years in business.
To learn more about the firm and the upcoming May 2 auction, and to view hundreds of photos of the lots to be sold, you may log on to www.timsauction.com. The mailing address is Tim's, Inc., 1185 Farmington Ave., Bristol, CT 06010.
