Auction Your Possessions Today Blog: Grand Prize for the Herschede Grandfather Clock Co.

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Known as the highest quality American clock ever made, Herschede Hall Clock Company, founded by Frank Herschede it was based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They produced tubular bell grandfather clocks from 1877 to 1983. From May of 1960, the plant was located in Starkville, Mississippi.

Frank Herschede (1857-1922) was the visionary that began this company in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the age of 16, he worked as an apprentice watch and clock repairman. At 20, in 1877, he went into business and in 1885, his store moved to the corner of Arcade and Vine. He started to import movements and have his cases made in a cabinet shop on Front Street in Cincinnati.

In 1901, he exhibited in the South Carolina and West Indian Exposition at Charleston, South Carolina, where he received a gold medal for his hall clocks. Frank's son, Walter, graduated from high school in 1902, and went to work in the cabinet shop. The factory moved to Plum Street in 1903 and later added the building next door to make clock movements. Several other medals were won in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis in 1904; a gold medal for the best hall clock, a gold medal for the best hall clock cases, and a silver medal for tubular chimes. In 1913, the third melody was added to the Whittington and Westminster chimes. "Cantebury Chimes" was composed by Charles Eisen, especially for Herschede clocks.

At the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915, the grand prize was presented to the Herschede Hall Clock Company for chime hall clocks and mantel clocks, and a gold medal was awarded for the hall clock cabinets

Since that time. a brass placcard like this has been added to every Grandfather Clock including ours (see item 1).

By the early 1920's branch sales offices were opened, first in New York City, then in Chicago and San Francisco. Frank Herschede died on September 15, 1922, and Walter was named president in January of 1923. In 1925, Walter started to work with electric movement chime clocks. On February 4, 1934, Walter's son, Dick Herschede, started full time employment. In 1959, a contact was made with the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association, and the plant moved to Starkville, Mississippi in May of 1960. In 1973, Herschede merged with Howard Furniture and Briarwood Lamps into Arnold Industries, Inc. On September 23, 1983, Herschede implemented a plan to restructure the Herschede Hall Clock division from a manufacturer of the finished clocks to a supplier of quality tubular bell movements to the industry. On August 21, 1984, a letter was written by Richard L. Herschede. Jr. President to certify that "The Clock" Model #250 Serial # A642698-35 was the very last of the three shipped from the factory. “The Clock” is now in the House of Herschede Museum a division of Covenant Clock Restorations in Portland, Oregon.

Herschede Comany always took pride in their craftsmanship and the employees that made this possible. Even their advertisements reflected this fact. Here are two I thought you would enjoy.