Featured Would this longcase clock be a good acquisition to enrich a collection?

Last year I started collecting antique clocks (basically mantel clocks; I have 5 so far), but I would like to purchase a longcase clock for my collection. I came across this George Suggate clock, probably made either late 18th Century or early 19th Century. As I’m not familiar with longcase clocks, I wonder if this would be a good acquisition. Would appreciate your thoughts. Should I go for it, or should I wait/look for a better clock? If it’s worth the purchase, what would be a reference value to guide me. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

Just an observation, behind the weights is the word "telephone". Is that just an old newspaper adhered to the back?

 

Yes, it is an old newspaper.

 

Who took it apart and opened it up? And am assuming from what's visible, it's NOT running and in need of serious restoration........

 

The owner of the store where the clock is opened it. It's working, but it certainly needs to be serviced.

 

https://www.google.ch/search?q=geor...mg&ei=VgQqYt3EGpaP8gKdmbXYDw&bih=527&biw=1184

some Christies and Bonhams, so might be a good investement if you didn't pay too much for it.

 

This one sold for $500.00 + 28% buyer's premium.

George III Tall Case Clock, George Suggate, 18th C - Jun 08, 2021 | Everard Auctions & Appraisals in GA (liveauctioneers.com)

 

From the looks of this one, I'd say YOURS IS in better condition!! So I'd say it depends on asking price and what you're willing to spend! AND the one on 1stDibs IS Gorgeous, with a Huge price, BUT ALSO says UNAVAILABLE..... whatever that means!!!!

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/18177/lot/497/

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/d...-clock-signed-suggate-halesworth/id-f_876995/

 

stick will smaller high value clocks.....

 

I am going to make a stab at helping you with the age of the faceplate and the maker of the faceplate. I see in the one photo "Wilson" stamped on the back of the faceplate. A James Wilson, son of Moses Wilson, born October 17, 1752 in Scotland, left Scotland in September 1772 and went to Birmingham, England where he took up the clock trade with Samuel Goodwin Osborne in 1772. If you could look at the top of the back of the faceplate to see if you see the word "Osborne," you could be pretty certain that the faceplate was made before 1777.
It is my understanding that in America the clock makers would make the wooded cases for the clocks and then order the clock mechanisms from England or Scotland.
The art work makes me want to say that the faceplate was made Thomas Hadley Osborne.
Samuel Goodwin Osborne is believed by some to be the older brother of Thomas Hadley Osborne and by other the father of the young Thomas Hadley Osborne, who at the time was 19 and learning to be an artist. Over a short period of time the trade became Osborne and Wilson unitil 1777, when Osborne and Wilson went their separate ways.
From then on the back of the faceplate was stamped "Osborne Manufactory Birmingham England." We have a long clock at the Richards-DAR House Museum, Mobile, Alabama with this stamp and the art work of
Thomas Hadley Osborne.
During the time of Osborne and Wilson 1772-1777, one of the characteristics of their work was the white "imitation" enamel faces with hand-painted dials (nothing new) that were smooth and even on the surface. The painted spandrels and dial look a lot to me like the work of Thomas Handley Osborne or his mother, Ann Hadley, of the Hadley clock making family in Birmingham and wife of Samuel Osborne.
As volunteer museum furnishings chair, I have had to research this clock extensively since no one knew anything about it other than the donor many years ago.
I am no expert, but maybe this will help you find the answers you want.
Resources: Clocksmagazine.com, Jan 2020, pp.22-30.
Birmingham Dial Makers, Some Biographical Notes-Part 1, by John A. Robey

 

that's ....a stab ???

ehehehehe!!!!!!!!!