Nelson Clocks
To clarify the record for those who continue to follow this thread, there are "legitimate" George Nelson clocks that bear his name. His last designs indicate that they are "by George Nelson" and include his signature. A link to a picture is attached, as I still haven't figured out how to attach pictures directly to this board.
http://www.artnewyork.com/interior/kitchenware/html/clock4.htm
With regard to the lack of uniformity in the quality of Nelson's designs, one must remember that they span a period of almost 40 years and involved a litany of different people working in the Nelson office. Tastes change. Moreover, and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, many of the clocks pictured on this thread are not in fact Nelson's work. It is my understanding that Umanoff did not work in Nelson's office and that Howard Miller had a separate contract with him. Thus, Nelson can't be blamed for the red and blue clocks at the top of this thread. [Sorry, Barry, but they are not to my taste.]
As for William's dig at collectors, I would just say that most whom I know appreciate quality, but wish to understand the many other designs that eventually led to the great ones. I have found that some of my favorite Nelson clocks are ones I did not initially appreciate. For instance, Nelson's hexagon clock uses an ingenious design that employs an interior and exterior hexagon to make up the 12 hour markers. It was not until I had the clock up on my wall and studied it that I learned to appreciate the thought that went into it. If I were not a "collector," I never would have learned to appreciate that design, which I initially viewed as the least interesting of the motion notion series.
http://www.architonic.com/mus/gal/4106006
Riki, I don't have quite as many clocks as you'all think I do!
I own:
repro:
* the eye clock
* the turbine clock
* the multi ball clock
* the steering wheel clock
* the kite clock
real:
* the spike clock - electric
* the basket clock - electric
* three of the ceramic Meridian clocks - 2 electric, 1 battery (blu Botossi, white and red, the porus Horse clock)
* 1 weird beige linoleum segemented clock - was a wind-up but had to be refitted as a battery motor
* 2 of the Umanoff casket clocks with pendulums - both red, different shapes
* 1 large round walnut clock with brass edge - electric
* 1 black case school clock - electric
* 2 butcher block clocks - 1 square and 1 round
* 2 wrap around rattan clocks - 1 square and 1 round
* 1 yellow Asterik clock - battery
* 1 real early wood cone clock - electric
* 1 of the Swingtimers clocks - battery
* 1 of the plain Umanoff clocks - electric
* 1 late black mirror clock - battery
* 1 round wood and leather clock - battery
* 1 round wood clock with roman numerals - battery
A nice collection, but not too many earth shattering. No table model clocks...too expensive.
If anyone gets up to Minneapolis, I'd be glad to show 'em off......
I've got 3 on my walls in my den
9 scattered around the walls in my living room
3 in my dining room
8 in my kitchen (it's a big kitchen 30'x8')
1 in my laundry room
1 in my basement music room
1 in the main basement room
1 in my bedroom
oh...and the fake ball clock's in my main room bathroom!
Lots of wall space!
vintage clock in the box
I was at an auction yesterday in Ohio that had an old original Howard Miller clock still in it's old, yellowed, original box. However, it was weird. It was just the "dots", 12 round wooden dowel plugs with finishing nails coming out of the back and a battery powered middle part with an hour hand and a minute hand. It looked like a kit for somebody who wanted to mount a clock on a homemade base or directly on the wall or something. Have you ever seen anything like this? I swear, the box was true. It was Howard Miller, no doubt.
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