New England Chapter No. 8 NAWCCSUMMER MEETING, SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006Worcester Hotel & Conference Center
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| Pictures by Bob Frishman | |
A Tale of Three Clock Makers, by Mary Jane Dapkus - CT |
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J. Arnold Verge Restoration, |
Spurious Timepieces and other Vile Performances by Robert Cheney |
Highlights by Dick Trepp
The Worcester Hotel and Conference Center hosted the June 17th summer meeting. In addition to the programs, there was a busy mart, silent auction, and raffle operation.
Mary Jane Dapkus, an active NAWCC member in Connecticut who specializes in historical clock research, presented her findings as "A Tale of Three Clockmakers".
Mary Jane researched these three who lived in the Middletown and Berlin Ct area. She spoke about the relationship between these families, their impact on the local economy, and their contribution to developing the wooden movement clock trade. There was additional material that pictured their families and life in that era.
Our second workshop, "J Arnold Verge Restoration" was by Tom McIntyre, a long time member of Chapter 8 and a NAWCC director, Tom is a most knowledgeable watch collector who recognized a good buy on Ebay .The watch turned out to be a rather rare fusee verge escapement made in Europe, and of late 18th or early 19th century vintage. It was in fairly sad condition, but Tom told about getting it restored in England. A beautiful job was done that included the movement, replacing a hand, and some expert case restoration.
And as is customary, Chapter 8 usually has luncheon speaker. "Spurious Timepieces and other Vile Performances", a look at the Simon Willard banjo clock, was a delightful approach to recognizing the genuine article by Robert Cheney, FNAWCC. Robert, of course is known nationwide as an expert on clocks. He pointed out that this timepiece is most difficult to find in original condition. Cheney estimates that 92% of the Willards sold are fakes or are not in original condition. He went into some detail to divulge how these clocks were faked, forged, and married through the years. It takes detailed study and research to recognize the good 8%.
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Directions:
Please note: The Worcester Hotel & Conference Center is the new name of the Worcester Holiday Inn location which we have met at many times before.
From the East: Mass Pike 90. Take Exit 11A on to 495 North. Take Exit 25B onto 290 West. Take Exit 20 (Lincoln St.) Bear RIGHT off the ramp onto Lincoln St. The Worcester Hotel will be at a set of lights about ½ mile on the left. Turn left at the lights to enter Inn driveway. There is a Dennys on that corner.
From the West: Mass Pike (90), West: Take Exit 10 onto 290 East. Take Exit 21 (Plantation St.) Take a Left off the ramp, take a left at the first set of lights onto Lincoln St. At the next set of lights take a left to stay on Lincoln St. The Worcester Hotel is about ½ mile on your right.
From the North: I 93 South to 495 South-take Exit 25B onto 290 West. Take Exit 20 (Lincoln St.) Bear RIGHT off the ramp onto Lincoln St. The Worcester Hotel will be at a set of lights about ½ mile on the left. Turn left at the lights to enter Inn driveway. There is a Dennys on that corner.
From the South: I 95 North to I 295 North to 146 North to 290 East. Take Exit 21 (Plantation St.) Take a Left off the ramp; take a left at the first set of lights onto Lincoln St. At the next set of lights take a left to stay on Lincoln St. The Worcester Hotel is about ½ mile on your right.
Registrations for current dues paid members by June 10, 2006 are $20.
Registrations received after June 10, 2006, or from non-current dues paid members and "walk-ins" will be $25.
As always, registration includes your luncheon and is required for participation in any of the meeting activities.
| 7:30 AM | Registration name tags available for those members who preregistered. Registration table open for "walk-ins". Mart area open for set-up by table holders only. |
| 8:00 AM | Mart open; with closing at 11:45 A.M. for 12:00 Noon Luncheon. (a watchman for Mart will be provided) |
| 8:30 AM | Silent Auction Table will run from 8:30 to 10:15A.M. |
| 9:00 AM | A Tale of Three Clock Makers, by Mary Jane Dapkus - CT After about 7 years of (part-time) genealogical research on Middletown and Berlin, CT, wooden movement shelf clock makers, Mary Jane will present the developing stories which connect several of the clock makers through personal and business relationships. This talk, essentially a progress report, will emphasize how an understanding of local history and the historical background of the wooden movement era is contributing depth and interest to the stories. |
| 10:30 AM | J. Arnold Verge Restoration, by Tom McIntyre - MA Tom's presentation will feature the work of the English craftsman John Wayper and his restoration of a late 18th or early 19th century verge watch. The restoration included case work and extensive work on the movement as well as the creation of a set of hands for the watch. |
| 11:45 | Mart closes |
| 12:00 | Noon Luncheon |
| 12:30 | Luncheon Program: Spurious Timepieces and other Vile Performances By Robert Cheney, FNAWCC, Conservator of Clocks Old Sturbridge Village, and third generation clock maker. The 'Patent Timepiece' or 'banjo' clock was patented by Simon Willard in 1802. It remains one of the most difficult American clocks to obtain in original condition while at the same time, being a popular for fakers over the last 100 years. While providing some background history on the patent timepiece, this talk will open the faker's handbook to divulge how these clocks have been faked, forged and married through the years, causing serious gastric distress to the new owners. |
The Silent Auction table (8: 30 to 10:15) - enables you to sell a few items without the need for a table:
Fill out a slip at the table with your minimum price you will accept for the item. Members can then write in their bids during the course of the auction.
The cost to you as a seller is only $3.00 PER ITEM. The charge is payable in advance and applies whether item sells or not (multiple items for one bid count as one item).
AND
At at the auction table you can buy a ticket for the 50-50 raffle.
| To all members and their families; have a safe and enjoyable Summer. Hope to see you all at the August Picnic, and some of you at the NAWCC Eastern Regional in Syracuse.
Thank you for your ongoing help and participation. -- Burt Kassap |
Suitcase Clock Repair Courses:
Victor Kozakevich, a director of Chapter 8, handles the NAWCC Suitcase Program. If you are interested, contact him at a meeting or call him at 617-491-4608. Contact by E-mail is vkozak@att.net.
F101 - Kitchen clocks, July 28-31, Grafton, MA
Workshop Topics:
If you would like to do a workshop presentation or have suggestions for future topics/presenters, please contact Peter Nunes. 401-789-6791 or by email: peter.nunes@verizon.net
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 people and they will get your message to the right person if they cannot help you.
President Burton Kassap
112 Bullough Park, Newtonville, MA 02460
617-332-0162
milbur@earthlink.net
1st Vice Pres. VACANT
2nd Vice Pres. Harold Lincoln
5 Ringbolt Road, Hingham, MA 02043
781-740-1190
hgyl@aol.com
Treasurer Wayne Paskerian
5 Warren St., Winchester, MA 01890
781-729-0113
winway@comcast.net
Secretary Ken Clapp
11 Evangeline Place, Grandby, CT 06035
860-413-9350
nawcc_chapter_8@mac.com
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