I had to

Last weekend your correspondent larked over to this estate sale, mere minutes from horology HQ.

Now before going any further it is important to point out that generally speaking this clock fool is not particularly enamored of tall case clocks (AKA grandfathers). 

The clock world is flooded with often cheaply made tall cases from the 70's and 80's. With the same scrolled look and Tempus Fugit invariably stamped on the top of the dial, they are uninspiring and many are made with low quality movements that don't last more than a couple decades and are hardly worth repairing.

But your inquisitive horologist keeps an open mind and regularly scans the local Monterey Craigslist for horological finds. Searches for clocks typically result in wide varieties of time pieces surfacing for sale and almost invariably include one version or another of a mass produced tall case, being either given away for free or ineffectually over-priced. The market is not kind to tall cases these days.

Typically most of the clocks that are posted thanks to Mr. Craig are of little interest to this scavenger but not infrequently there are some reasonably good examples and occasionally they rise to the level that peaks interest enough to inquire. 

The DUFA tall case is a beloved example that has been thoroughly examined here. It has a proud spot on the landing of our living room staircase.

C'mon. Who doesn't love that!

Ahem... other regular Craig offerings include garage / estate sales each weekend and, similarly, some rise to the level worth exploring. This scrapper has dug up several fine clocks this way.

So back to our story...

Your antique freak moseyed over to that estate sale on the last day and at a late hour to boot. Walking in, what was there in the corner of the garage but a tall case clock. Even from a distance it was clearly not your garden variety Ridgeway yet natural instincts took over and an inspection of the house and its offerings came first.

The house itself was an interesting example of a modernist 50's ranch / bungalow (as there are many out here in Carmel Valley) but the estate sale was well picked over, there wasn't much to see other than the digs themselves.

Bohemian?

Ok. 

Then walking back out... there was our towering friend again.

A closer inspection was warranted.

This was no 70's wannabe grandfather clock.

Just a bit dusty, the oak case was in marvelous condition and that was an old dial and hands and the wood inlay in the case...

Wow.

Dr. Clock here guesstimated that this grand dame was in the ballpark of 200 years old. Maybe more.

The dial said Smith and Newburg?

Probably English. Maybe Scottish. Could it be American?

That dial was all hand painted and seemingly untouched in all its years. 

Taking the hood off revealed an original anchor escapement movement that looked completely intact with an original striking bell. 

The clocks original pendulum leaned against the wall next to it. 

A careful inspection did not reveal any weights to drive the movement. Other than that our fine example looked to be a very much intact and seemingly all original clock.

Christine (who ran the sale) had no details about the clock nor had info on weights. The clock was also missing a key to open the front door of the case which was firmly locked.

If there are parts of an original clock like this that have to be missing, it should be the weights and a key. Both easy to replace.

Pondering this beastie a bit more, your horo-archeologist decided to take a quick drive back to the house and have a discussion with the spousal unit who had not joined him on this expedition. 

She was entirely in favor of adoption.

Christine asked for $75. I gave her the eye.

A few minutes later and $50 lighter your correspondent saw all seven feet of our beauty just fit into the back of the SUV.