Since we haven’t been out and about yet, I’ve been hashing through some of my archives. One of my most popular posts was about the FX Matt Brewery (see NY Travel Maps in the menu bar at the top of this page) in Utica, NY. It was a great tour.
One of the most curious things we saw at the Brewery was the “polyphon,” which was, basically, a German music box in the shape of a grandfather clock! It dated back to the 1800s and is priceless.
I’ve always loved grandfathers clocks. When we (finally) finish this old 1855 house we’ve got, I’m going to have a grandfather clock in my family room. My grandmother once had one, I don’t know where it disappeared after her death. It was an old heirloom clock and I loved it. 
They still make Howard Miller grandfather clocks, so here’s hoping I can get a new one and pass it down to my kids or something. Although, I’d prefer a Bulova because they have that rounded top. Isn’t it beautiful?!
I am actually a clock fanatic. I have tons of them around the house. Maybe it comes from my old days, working in radio. You had to finish your speaking precisely to the second. Try getting the weather forecast done in 9.23 seconds while the intro to a song is playing! It is an art, believe me. For years afterward, I was able to time things without a watch or clock nearby– I would always know what time of day it was, as if by instinct. Anyway, I love clocks. I’d love a great big grandfather clock in my family room and a great big circular clock (they look like a man’s pocket watch) hanging in my kitchen. Of course, I have to renovate the house first. All in good time… in the meantime, I dream!
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April 9th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
My grandmother recently passed away and I was SHOCKED that no one had ‘claimed’ her large Grandfather clock. I jumped on it. I guess that these sorts of beautiful heirlooms that require *gasp* weekly winding and some oil occasionally and, yes, that you read a face clock are just not as popular anymore. I’m with you though- they ROCK. Definitely go with the one with the rounded top. Or you could get one from an antique store/ebay to pass down to your kids.
April 9th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Oh you are so very correct! I would have loved to received my grandmother’s old clock. She also had a terrific cuckoo clock from Germany (I didn’t get that, either). I spent summers with my grandparents, and every morning at 8am, my grandfather would come wheeling out of his bedroom (he was in a wheelchair) and wind up the clock. I would gladly wind a clock like that every day. I even miss those old wind-up watches. I dislike the battery-run clocks very much.
Thanks for your comment!