The very interesting article by Gary Sullivan and Kate Van Winkle Keller has recently appeared in The Magazine Antiques in the September/October 2013 issue.  It highlights the important study that the two authors are conducting as they document all known American musical clocks made prior to 1830.  These fascinating clocks are masterpieces of both furniture and timekeeping.  At the same time, they are a cultural time capsule that play music that offers more than a glimpse of 18th and early 19th Century culture and tastes.  Click this link to download the article    Available thanks to The Magazine Antiques 

The article release coincides with an exhibit of 36 rare and extraordinary musical clocks.  The exhibit is being held at the Willard House and Clock Museum in North Grafton, Massachusetts. [Follow this link for exhibit details]

This important article written by Gary Sullivan and Brock Jobe reveals the identity of two of Plymouth county's fine cabinetmakers. The idiosyncrasies of their antique furniture have long been known, but until recently their identities were lost to history. This article was published in The Magazine Antiques in May of 2009 and followed closely the release of the text “Harbor & Home”, that was co-authored by Gary and Brock. These important discoveries were the end result of the comprehensive research performed for “Harbor & Home”. Follow the link to read the article. 

Mr. Sullivan is assisting independent scholar Mr. Paul J. Foley in his latest undertaking, to publish a history, catalog and guide of Simon Willard's antique lighthouse clocks. In conjunction with The Willard House and Clock Museum in North Grafton, Massachusetts, Gary is helping to locate privately held antique lighthouse clocks made by Simon Willard. In 2002, Mr. Foley published a very highly regarded, comprehensive guide to Simon Willard's antique patent time pieces.

Information relating to, and examples of these antique clocks are being sought for an upcoming publication devoted to this important form. In addition to those clocks which were included in the museum's recent exhibition of Willard lighthouse clocks, the author wishes to include all known examples of these masterpieces.

Simon Willard Family Record and Memorial
Boston circa 1810-24 - Watercolor, Pen & Ink on paper board

This historically significant memorial was recently acquired by Mr. Sullivan. He has donated a photo realistic reproduction of the document for public display at the Willard House & Clock Museum, North Grafton, Mass. This Classically rendered watercolor memorial illustrates the family of celebrated clock maker Simon Willard of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Perhaps the best known of all American clock makers, Simon Willard was an innovator who changed the course of clock making with a number of major improvements such as the patent timepiece commonly referred to as the "Banjo Clock".

The memorial illustrates the names and birth dates of Simon, his wife Mary and their eleven children. Included are two memorials to daughter Julia in 1799 and eldest son Thomas in 1810. Therefore the record would a have been created after 1810 but prior to 1823, the year that his wife Mary died. Although official records of Willard family genealogy are known, it is extraordinary to have discovered the personal record owned by the Willard household.

Authored by Philip E. Morris Jr., a widely recognized authority on wooden antique tall clocks, American Wooden Movement Tall Clocks: 1712-1835 is an essential reference book for collectors, dealers or students of early American clocks, furniture, antiques or decorative arts. Lavishly illustrated and meticulously researched, this volume is the most comprehensive, accurate and up to date compilation of early 18th and 19th century wooden clockmakers and their clocks available.  Follow this link to see details

Early American Clock Styles	Early American Clockmakers	Antique Tall Clock Terminology	Antique Banjo Clock Terminology	Resources/Links
An overview of common American antique clock styles	A listing of well known early American clockmakers	A diagram of common antique tall clock terminology	A diagram of common antique banjo clock terminology	Links to resources and related publications