Where eagles dare

The bird atop our Sessions York banjo clock is very patriotic. 

Seems like everyone is watching eagles these days. 

As explicated in our last episode your local horologist addressed the error of "beat" and the variants of in vs. out vs. going in and out. 

But let's take a brief respite from tooth surgery and add just a bit more history.

What is a banjo clock?

The term banjo comes from the shape of the clock. As a style it was a uniquely American creation, patented by Simon Willard, a Massachusetts clockmaker, in 1802. A simple summary of the history of banjo clocks and their features can be found in this wikipedia entry. 

Many in the field of horology call Willard the "father" of American clock making. Several of his family members were also clockmakers following his style. Original Willard (family) clocks are hard to come by ($$) and highly prized. Here is an example of an original (and the fuss auction houses make about them). Look here for more about of Simon Willard and check out this video of one of his lighthouse clocks being appraised on the Antiques Roadshow. There is a Willard museum in Massachusetts. Plenty of ogle-worthy examples of banjos (what they refer to as "patent timepieces") there. YLH loves the Willard lighthouse clocks. There's one in the White House. Apparently Willard also became good friends with Jefferson.

As shown in that AR video authentic Willards are extremely valuable and that what it takes to authenticate an original is no small feat. There are a lot of clocks out there that "might be" originals but under intense scrutiny by experts fail to pass muster.

There's an authentic (son of) Willard in the Smithsonian and they describe its design as "perfect from the beginning." Since their concise description of the clock and Willard's innovations cannot be improved by any clumsy rehash effort by this author, YLH recommends you read directly from the source.

Older and original banjo's were typically "timepieces" which means they were time-only (no striking or chiming), the tell-tale visual sign is the single winding hole on the dial. But striking was added to some early versions. Likely all early models were weight driven movements vs. the later versions which were mostly spring driven (cheaper).

So spring driven movements are the norm for mass produced, less expensive 20th century varieties, which includes our Sessions York. Search eBay for banjo clocks and there are hundreds for sale. Almost all from early-mid 20th century. Mass produced doesn't mean poorly made, just not hand made. When well maintained these clocks can perform well.

Here is an example of a weight-driven time and strike "Willard school" clock circa 1835 with its weights (tucked in the bottom of the image).

One very clever feature of banjo clocks is that the central column makes for a taller clock thus enabling the fall of the weights (features of some banjos) and a longer pendulum rod (a feature of all the vast majority of banjos). Clocks with longer pendulums are generally more accurate time keepers. All of this hidden / protected behind wood and glass.

Here's a Seth Thomas timepiece example (probably 19th century) with a column that has a door which shows the pendulum rod running down connecting to the pendulum bob (the round disk on the bottom) behind the box door.

Suffice it to say banjos became very popular and by the middle of the 19th century were being produced by many large manufacturers. Many of the major clockmakers built a wide variety of models well into the 20th century. While far less in vogue as times past, some modern, mechanical versions are still being made today.

There's no precise date on the Yorkie we have in hand but the exact match to the 1927 catalog is probably as good a dating as can be had.

Somewhat smaller than typical banjos, the York model appealed for several reasons but what really caught the eye of YLH was the lack of a typical reverse-painted glass "tablet" in the central column. That central column tablet is a more common design element that can be seen in most examples of banjos including a (unrestored and yet to be blogged about) New Haven "Whitney" model acquired by this horology hound a few years ago.

Sessions York -- New Haven Whitney

Both clocks share another common element, an eagle adorning the top. The York's eagle is featured in our opening photo.

The Whitney also features what are called brass "frets" on the sides of the column, a feature introduced very early in the history of banjo clocks. The York emulates that shape in the carving of its center case that highlights the beauty of its solid mahogany. 

A bit of a surprise/mystery on our York is the reverse "painting" on its box tablet. Not the scene itself which definitely matches the design of the example in the catalog and of other York model examples your clock detective has found. 

No it's the condition of the reverse "painted" image. Mass produced versions of almost all banjos use some simple lithographic process to produce the image. Most take varying degrees of damage over the years.

Here's the box tablet of a Sessions York example found online by YLH.

And here's our York's box tablet.

Either our York was kept with great care or that's a fine replacement lithograph. Does someone actually have a collection of banjo clock lithographs? There were hundreds of designs. Maybe thousands. 

From our first post about the York. 

That image is unblemished.

Hmm...

Just a quick additional note about the New Haven Whitney. It is also a time and strike clock. Note the two winding holes and the nice Deco fonts on its dial. Probably a late 1920's - early 30's era clock. 

This brings us back to Kelly's original post for the York. She described it as a "New Haven" and this clock hunter had seen another New Haven banjo posted on Craigslist for months now. 

Voila.

Craigslist listing no longer available

The Craiglist clock is a 3 train movement (time, strike and chime), note the three winding holes on the dial. YLH does not doubt that this is a fine clock; it is resplendent with virtually all the classic features of a banjo, but it doesn't pique interest. For now.

Perhaps in an effort to describe the Sessions York clock in hand Kelly researched and saw this posted clock and misperceived New Haven as a style of banjos rather than a maker. 

Maybe.

YLH is glad to be the new owner of the Yorkie but there are still some repairs needed to get it back on its feet.

Next time!

P.S. That New Haven 3 train above... 

in the photos posted on Craigslist... 

it's box tablet painting of Mt. Vernon...

Looks virtually unblemished too.

Hmm...

Edited March 27, 2025 with additional info on Willard, the lighthouse clock video, the museum and the White House example.