Featured 1890s Hamburg - American Clock marriage gift to WWII hero?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by journeymagazine, Jun 19, 2024.

  1. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    Thrift store find today is this beautiful 1890s Hamburg - American clock co. shelf clock in beautiful condition.
    It even had notes & cards from clock dealer that made me think it was well taken care of (now at home key wound & with pendulum swinging, it's kept perfect time for the last 5 hours).
    But the reason I bought it was the plaque on the front that was congratulating a Mr. Fred Lumsden on his marriage.
    Googling Fred Lumsden 1890s brought up the link below to a WWI war hero with all kinds of medals including the Victoria Cross.

    But I couldn't make out who gave him the clock?

    Is this who the clock was presented to?
    Who or what was the company/person that gave it to him?
    Finally, these clocks even though old, do not sell for a huge amount usually - does this clock being presented to this soldier/pilot (if its the same Fred Lumsden) add any value to it?

    Any information would be very helpful- thank you!

    PS - below is the link to him

    https://victoriacrossonline.co.uk/frederick-william-lumsden-vc-cb-dso/


    20240619_153640.jpg
    20240619_153816.jpg 20240619_153933.jpg
    20240619_154003.jpg 20240619_100738.jpg 20240619_114206.jpg 20240619_114043.jpg
    20240619_114000.jpg 20240619_113815.jpg
    20240619_155705.jpg
     
  2. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    Presented to Mr. Fred Lumsden
    on the occasion of his marriage
    By the employees of Messrs. Bell & Bieberstedt
    Leith, 28 Decr. 1896

    (Messrs. is an old way to write the plural of Mr.)
    Apparently, they were a Leith seed/nursery merchant.

    Screenshot (147).png
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2024
  3. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Love the presentation plaque-nice Journey.
     
  4. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    The one in your VC link was a career soldier and was never employed as a civilian in Scotland he married in December 1894,
    the one on the plaque married in December 1896
     
    Any Jewelry and kyratango like this.
  5. Marote

    Marote Well-Known Member

    Any Jewelry and kyratango like this.
  6. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    I saw difference in date - I thought maybe they couldn't give it to him at the time because he went back & was fighting the war - but the dates would have to be backwards i see now! (stop laughing; when you want it to be something you see more (or less) into things!
     
    Marote and daveydempsey like this.
  7. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    Thank you! - I saw until Bieber - and couldn't make out the rest
    So Leith is a name?
     
    bluumz likes this.
  8. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Leith is a district of Edinburgh, Scotland.
     
    kyratango and bluumz like this.
  9. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Yuppie ville.

    Debora
     
  10. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

  11. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Leith would have been an independent borough when Mr Lumsden worked there.
    It is now, but when I first saw it in the 70s it was a very rundown and impoverished waterfront neighbourhood. But as often, developers came and gentrification set in.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2024
    Marote likes this.
  12. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I know the note says Hamburg - American Clock Co in Hamburg, but the label inside the clock is of a Leith goldsmith and watchmaker named William Wood, and it says 'Made in Württemberg'.
    At the time, Württemberg was still a kingdom, so an independent country. Hamburg was in another country. Württemberg is now part of south Germany, but still a long way from the city of Hamburg in the north.
    Leith is also a long way from Hamburg and also in another country.;)
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2024
    Marote likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: 1890s Hamburg
Forum Title Date
Antique Discussion Is this small oil lamp really from the 1890s? Nov 24, 2021
Antique Discussion Perfume Passage Newsletter - A Tale of a Purse - Information regarding purses c.1890s to c.1940s Feb 20, 2021
Antique Discussion Walter Baker & Co. 1890s Vending Machine Panel Nov 4, 2017
Antique Discussion writing box stationary cabinet Victorian 1890s....or something else?? Mar 17, 2017
Antique Discussion Is this Christmas tree stand 1920s or 1890s? Jan 2, 2016

Share This Page