Seth Thomas Clock Company
Seth Thomas was an industrious clockmaker and pioneer of mass production in the United States. He founded the highly successful Seth Thomas Clock Company, which operated for more than 200 years. Over these two centuries, the company created mantle clocks, wall clocks and table clocks that were known for their masterful craftsmanship and on-trend designs.
Thomas was born in 1785 in Wolcott, Connecticut, to Scottish immigrants. At the time, Connecticut was a growing hub of American clockmaking. Though he left school at an early age, Thomas apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner in Plymouth. In the early 1800s, he made his first clock out of laurel wood from the mountains around his home.
In 1807, Thomas partnered with Eli Terry and Silas Hoadley to form a clock company called Terry, Thomas & Hoadley. Over the next three years, the firm produced around 400 wall clocks. In 1813, Thomas sold his share of the company and moved to Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut, where he established his clock factory. He gained a reputation for producing beautiful grandfather clocks and tower clocks.
When Thomas died in 1859, his son, Aaron, took over the company. The Seth Thomas Clock Company continued operating successfully for several more decades. In 1913, it produced the four-faced tower clock that still stands in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal.
In 1875, Plymouth Hollow was incorporated under the name Thomaston in his honor. The company went out of business in 2009.
Find antique Seth Thomas clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
| Average Sold Price |
| $550 |
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Mid-19th Century American Antique Seth Thomas Clock Company
Mahogany, Rosewood
1940s American Vintage Seth Thomas Clock Company
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Seth Thomas Clock Company
Glass, Bakelite
Early 20th Century American Seth Thomas Clock Company
Crystal
1980s American Industrial Vintage Seth Thomas Clock Company
Aluminum
Early 20th Century American Seth Thomas Clock Company
Brass, Enamel
Late 19th Century Federal Antique Seth Thomas Clock Company
Glass, Rosewood
19th Century American Antique Seth Thomas Clock Company
Iron
Seth Thomas Clock Company Sellers
Creators Similar to Seth Thomas Clock Company
Seth Thomas Clock Company furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To date a Seth Thomas mantel clock, examine the gears inside. If the movement is wood, the production date of the clock is somewhere between 1817 and 1830. Clocks made after 1881 may feature an ink code date stamp on the case back or bottom. A licensed appraiser can provide assistance with determining the exact manufacturing year. Shop a variety of expertly vetted Seth Thomas mantel clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Sadly, Seth Thomas clocks are no longer made. The luxury clockmaker closed its doors in January 2009 and is no longer in operation. Find a collection of Seth Thomas clocks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, the Seth Thomas Clock Company is no longer in business. When the Seth Thomas Clock Company was founded in 1813 it quickly became known for its offerings of longcase, mantel, wall and table-top clocks. There are still many secondhand options for Seth Thomas Clock Company clocks through verified retailers, including 1stDibs.