New England Chapter No. 8 NAWCC

AUTUMN MEETING, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2001

Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge Massachusetts

Meeting Highlights by Richard Trepp and Dave Gallup

Chapter 8 brought the year 2001 to a close with a large meeting at the Host Hotel in Sturbridge MA. Over 300 registered for the meeting. There were 77 tables in the mart. The silent auction was packed with all types of items. The chapter's strong emphasis on education was continued with three programs in addition to all the mart activity.

Jerry Maltz was our first speaker. Jerry is a member of seven NAWCC chapters and a council member of NY Chapter 2.

Edward Baird's advertising clocks was the subject of Maltz's talk. His program gave us an insight on how Baird started his clock making business. Starting in Montreal, Canada, Baird's first clocks were made of papier-mâché and he used Seth Thomas movements. Baird traveled extensively selling his clocks to advertisers throughout Canada and the U.S. When orders were secured, he would return to his shop and make the clocks with the advertiser's messages embossed on the top.

In 1889 Baird moved to Plattsburg N.Y. where he produced cases made of wood in addition to papier-mâché. Baird left New York in 1897 and moved to Chicago. There he started using Ingraham movements, and the cases were made of wood and tin.

During his life Baird had twenty-three patents on clocks. When he died, his clocks were no longer produced-Baird being a one-man clock business.

Jerry's lecture was very interesting and informative. He shared many slides of Baird clocks that he has in his own collection. Another great program offered by Chapter 8.

Arnoud Meurs, a chapter member, returned for his second talk this year. His colorful slide presentation covered "200 Years of Dutch Domestic Antique Clocks: 1670-1870." Arnoud is a specialist in Dutch horology. He has a passion not only for collecting and repairing Dutch clocks but also for their historical significance. His well organized presentation brought forth pictures of clocks that most of us rarely see in contrast to other European clocks that appear on the American scene.

Arnoud divided the time span covered into three major periods. The first period 1680-1720, the second 1725-1775 (the best period) and the last 1775- 1815. There were Zaandam, Stoleclock, and Staartclock styles to go along with the periods.

The Dutch started early and also shared information with England. The first period showed the influence of John Calvin-austere looking cases. In the second phase, marquetry was introduced, and the styles began to change. By the last period the influence of Napoleon's army and the French people resulted in a fancier case and decorative dials. The Dutch clocks gradually became animated and displayed biblical, windmill or military scenes. Later Dutch dials became colorful with lots of flowers, figures and other forms of decoration.

Arnoud never lost sight of relating the many fine examples to the current culture of their time and the influence of other countries in bringing about a change in the Dutch style.

Dr. J.T. Fraser, founder of the International Society for the Study of Time, was our luncheon speaker. Dr.Fraser is acknowledged to be the world's leading scholar in the interdisciplinary study of time. For those of us that think of time in terms of watch or clock collecting, selling or repairing, Dr. Fraser brought some philosophical thoughts for the group to think about.

Such statements as "we impart beliefs to a non-thinking item, -how do we know the time is correct? - Concept of before and after is us- not in the clock- and humorously clocks remind you of time passing without being asked" are thoughts he threw out to the audience. We were then asked to ponder the idea that a timepiece going forward or backward comes from us-not the clock or watch. Dr. Fraser's philosophical approach emphasizes that clocks reach out to affect all human life. A most thought provoking presentation.

---- Dave Gallup and Dick Trepp

* * *

AUTUMN MEETING, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2001

Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge Massachusetts

The hotel is located opposite Old Sturbridge Village on Route 20

Directions:
From Massachusetts, take the Mass Pike (1-90) west to exit 9 to Rte 20 west through the lights to the Host Hotel on the right.
From Connecticut and New York, take 1-84 east to Rte 20 west in Sturbridge, through the lights to the Host Hotel on the right.
From Rhode Island, take Rte 146 north to Rte 20 west in Sturbridge, through the lights to the Host Hotel on the right.

Those desiring overnight lodging should contact the hotel directly at 1-800-582-3232 or 508-347-7393.

Registrations by October 29, 2001 are $19.
Registrations received after October 29, 2001 and "walk-ins" will be $25.
As always, registration includes your luncheon and is required for participation in any of the meeting activities.

MEETING SCHEDULE
Your Attention Please: We are starting ½ hour earlier.
7:00 AM Registration name tags available for those members who preregistered.
Registration table open for "walk-ins".
7:30 AM Mart area open for setup by table holders only.
8:00 AM Mart open with closing at 11:30 A.M. for 12:00 Noon Luncheon.
Silent Auction Table will run from 8:00 to 10:30A.M.
9:30 AM Workshop: BAIRD ADVERTISING CLOCKS: Long time advertising clock collector Jerry Maltz will present the story of Edward Baird (1860-1930) whose advertising clocks form a prominent part of real Americana. Jerry has recently authored a book on the subject, which will be available for purchase at the Mart. He is a member of seven NAWCC chapters, and a Council member of New York Chapter 2.
10:45 AM Workshop: 200 YEARS OF DUTCH DOMESTIC ANTIQUE CLOCKS: 1670-1870: Chapter member Arnoud Meurs will present this colorful slide show as he recently did with Black Forest Clocks. The Dutch clocks will include Zaandam, Stoel and Staart clocks, miniatures and Stooft clocks. Arnoud has lectured and exhibited his clocks at NAWCC chapters in Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut as well as throughout northern New England.
11:30 Break for Lunch
Luncheon Speaker:
Our luncheon speaker is Dr. J.T. Fraser, founder of the International Society for the Study of Time. He will present CLOCKS BEYOND THEMSELVES, a program that will address what clocks reveal about the nature of time. Dr. Fraser has taught courses and conducted seminars in the study of time at MIT, Mount Holyoke College, the University Of Maryland and Fordham University. He has authored four books, most recently Time the Familiar Stranger.
3:00 PM Mart closes, security ends.

President's Message - Bob Frishman

This past August, Chapter 8 sponsored the first New England NAWCC Field Suitcase Workshop. Eight members gathered for the four-day class at the Charles River Museum of Industry in Waltham, led by instructor Lehr Dircks from Ohio. Each student successfully completed the F101 introductory course and was awarded a certificate. We will offer more opportunities to our members to take the suitcase courses, so if you are interested, please contact me directly. I will get back to everyone on the list once the next dates are selected, probably early in 2002.

We are happy to announce that our chapter will be a cosponsor of the next huge "Timexpo" joint meeting in Waterbury, Connecticut May 11, 2002. Along with Chapters 2, 84 and 148, we expect an even more exciting day of mart-shopping and top-notch guest speakers. This event will replace our usual June meeting next year, so save that date!

And finally, Chapter 8 also is the official cosponsor of the NAWCC 2002 Annual Seminar to be held in Andover, Mass. October 17-19. Entitled "Boston: Cradle of Industrial Watchmaking: the seminar will feature several important lectures, exhibits and tours. I hope to greet you at all of the great Chapter 8 events we've planned for the coming year. -- Bob Frishman

Schedule of Events for 2002 (We have had many requests for some Sunday meetings):

Saturday - Jan 26th Johnson & Wales Inn, Seekonk, MA.

Sunday - Apr 14th Worcester Holiday Inn, Worcester MA.

Spring - 2002, Willard House Workshop, Grafton, MA.

Sunday - May 11th, Special Event-Joint meeting with Chapters 2, 84, and 148 at Timexpo Waterbury, CT.

Sunday – Aug 4th Bowen House Picnic, Woodstock CT.

Thur - Sat-Oct 17th-19th Rolling Green Inn, Andover MA. National Seminar, “Boston: Cradle of Industrial Watchmaking”. Chapter 8 is cosponsoring this and this will be in lieu of our fall educational symposium.

Saturday – Nov 2nd, Worcester Holiday Inn, Worcester MA.

Chapter Contacts:
If you any of you have a question or wish to contact someone in the chapter, get in touch with any of these four and they will get your message to the right person if they cannot help you.

President Bob Frishman
53 Poor St., Andover MA 01810
978-475-5001
rjfjs@mediaone.net

1st Vice Pres Dave Deutemiam
81 Kingman St., Lakeville, MA 02347
508-946-1082
Davmardeut@aol.com

Treasurer Wayne Paskerian
5 Warren St., Winchester, MA 01890
781-729-0113
winway@massed.net

Secretary Dick Trepp
573 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, MA 01106
413-567-0771
rgtrepp@rcn.com

 

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