The Bytown Times
VOLUME 38 NO. 5 NOVEMBER 25, 2018 ISSN 1712—2799 SEPTEMBER MEETING CANCELLATION!!! INSIDE THIS ISSUE
September Meeting Cancellation 1 Maker Faire Success!! 1—2 Montreal Symposium 3 Clock Museum News 4—6 Clock Repair Course 7 Ottawa Chapter’s On-Line 7 Presence Meeting Location 8 Wine and Cheese Party 8 Editor’s and President’s Corner 8 Damage along Old Richmond Road This was a FIRST! In the 43 years since the founding of the Ottawa Valley Watch and Clock Club and the 39 years since we became a chapter of the NAWCC, we have never had to cancel a meeting! The ice storm of 1998 couldn’t do it, but six tornadoes in the region managed to shut us down. Mem- bers were without power, some for a day but others for as many as six or seven. Roads were littered with fallen trees and branches and we were asked to avoid travelling the streets. But, thanks to Hydro employees, the Fire Depart- ment and Police, we are slowly getting back to normal.
We will see you at the November meeting!
MAKER FAIRE SUCCESS!!
Paul Devey had an idea. Why not set up a booth at the Mak- er Faire to try to attract new members? So, he did just that.
The Faire was held on Saturday and Sunday, September 29 & 30 at the Science and Tech Museum in Ottawa. Paul ar- ranged for two tables to display artifacts from club members. One table was focused on clocks and the other on watches Paul Devey not only organized the club’s and books. participation at the Maker Faire, he was at the booth both days Apparently, a key to attracting attention is to have things that move or can be touched. So, that was what he ordered! The Our next meeting…. watch table included a display of Canadiana Pocket watches 1:30 PM, November 25, 2018 as well as character watches with moving parts. There was a The North Gloucester Library, working escapement model; a shadow box with all the parts 2036 Ogilvie Road *********** from a Waltham 18 size watch and a working movement; an Presentation: escapement model used at a watchmakers’ school; jewellery A Watchmaker’s Shop in Paris in 1750 store counter display pieces, and; all the books ever pub- Robert St-Louis lished on Canadian clocks, watches and their makers (many ********* of which were written by our Ottawa club members!) Show and Tell Bring your summer acquisitions!! Cont’d P2
Page 2 THE BYTOWN TIMES Page 2
CHAPTER OFFICERS
President : Auditor: Don Purchase [email protected] Jean Paul Tourigny
Vice President: Immediate Past President: Vacant Daniel Burgoyne
Editor ByTown Times Treasurer: Gary Fox [email protected] Ray Springer
Secretary Education & Workshop Chairman: Paul Sonnichsen [email protected] Dan Hudon
MAKER FAIRE SUCCESS
From P1
The clock table display was no less intriguing. There were numerous alarm clocks with animation and two wooden works clocks made by the team of Paul Devey and Paul Williams. The two Paul’s wooden Orrery was also on display and created a lot of buzz.
The club was represented full time by Paul, Gary Fox and Maynard Dokken. Erin Fox arrived on Sunday af- ternoon to give us all a break. We had tremendous attention and had to field numerous questions. By the end of Saturday, Paul had lost his voice and Gary just hung on until the end of Sunday. Thank goodness for Maynard and Erin!
A number of folks left their email addresses and asked to be reminded of the date, time and place for our next meeting. Overall, the show was a great success. Many thanks to Paul for pulling this together on behalf of the club!
V 38 N . 5 N 25, 2018 Page 3 OLUME O OVEMBER
MONTREAL CHAPTERS’ SYMPOSIUM
The annual Montreal Horological Mart and Sale of Antique Clocks and Watches was held by Chapters 132 and 187 on Sunday, October 21 at the Ukrainian Youth Centre on Beaubien Street East in Montreal. As usual, this was a fun show with lots of clocks, watches and tools for sale. As always, there were plenty of doughnuts and smoked meat sandwiches and enough coffee to satisfy those with an appetite!
Our chapter had a table which saw a lot of action. We sold plenty of watches, and parts. Some of our pricier items got a lot of attention but sadly, no offers, Regardless, our table did very well. I attended with Maynard Dokken and we were pleased to see Georges Royer, Michel Menard and Miklos Valcamas along with our many friends from the Montreal chapters in attendance. Michel had his own table of interesting items includ- ing a huge wall clock from a hotel (see photo below).
As usual, the prices were in general pretty reasonable, especially some of the antique tools which, if I had the space in my display case, would have come home with me. I am already looking forward to next years show and hope to see even more Ottawa members there!
Maynard Dokken and Michel Menard Georges Royer Miklos Valcamas Gary Fox
Michel Menard’s Hotel Clock
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CLOCK MUSEUM NEWS
Four Uncatalogued “Pequegnat” Clocks in the Collection There were almost one hundred catalogued mod- els of mantel, wall, and hall (grand-father) clocks produced by The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Compa- ny over the period from 1904 to roughly 1941. But individual people or other companies could pur- chase just the movements complete with hands and pendulum, everything needed except the wood case to make custom clocks.
Shown here is the page from the last known cata- logue (No. 6, 1928) that lists the wide range of standard Pequegnat movements available with their descriptions that included the various compo- nents and the retail prices. There was an addition- al charge for the dial and sash for the ‘parlor’ clocks.
Uncatalogued “Pequegnat” clocks turn up on occa- sion. Our museum has four examples that are de- scribed in this column.
Midgets Palace Floor Clock: I purchased this unusual short clock at an auction in Toronto in the early 1990s. I was interested because it has a Berlin-period Pequegnat hall clock movement. Later correspondence with the auction house (by old-fashioned post office mail) revealed that a To- ronto antiques dealer had put the clock in the auc- tion, and that it might have come from The Midgets Palace / Le Palais des Nains on Rue Rachel in Montreal. The base is triangular; the clock can be set in a corner. The maker of the walnut case is unknown. Note the three hot-wire, filament tube lights.
Through more recent correspondence after 2000 with the Montreal city archives, plus online re- search and souvenir purchases, I could confirm the original owners. Count and Countess Philippe Nicol met in the circuses common in North Ameri- ca in the early 1900s, were then married and moved to Montreal in 1913. Their home, with small-sized furniture and appliances, became a major tourist destination. Their lives were detailed in several souvenir booklets that the museum has copies of, with text in both English et en français. PEQUEGNAT CLOCK MOVEMENTS This clock was shown behind Mrs. Nicol and her listed for sale in the 1928 company catalogue seated midget son in the 1940s booklet. More than fifty clock museum visitors have remembered their parents taking them to the Midgets Palace. Cont’d P. 5
Page 5 V 38 N . 5 N 25, 2018 OLUME O OVEMBER
CLOCK MUSEUM NEWS (CONT’D)
The Midgets Palace clock (60” H) The Midgets Palace clock is seen behind their son on display in the Exhibit Room Philippe Jr. in this photograph in their 1940s bilingual with souvenirs and booklets souvenir booklet (25₵ admission fee)
Custom Hall Clock: This clock with the golden oak finish was purchased from Jane Varkaris after she and her husband Costas had completed work on their classic book The Pequegnat Story that was published in 1982. The small, Berlin-period, weights movement has brass plates. She had decided to sell most of the Pequegnat clocks that they had acquired during research for the book. The priced clocks were offered to members of the Ottawa Chapter. I also acquired her Winni- peg model mantel clock at that time.
Large Buffet Clock: This massive piece of dark-finish oak furniture has a Berlin period (1904-1916) Pequegnat mantle clock pendulum movement. Although not found in any known company catalogues, at least three of this special-order “clock” have been seen. There are three small drawers, a large one at the bottom, and three cupboards with hinged doors for storage. The case is screwed down.
A Berlin, Ontario furniture company would have made the clock case and buffet (56” W), which is set up in the museum’s Exhibit Room. For about twenty years the local furniture companies made the early cases for Arthur.
The top of the buffet has a display of 1910s-1930s dishes, glass-ware, and other dining room items for museum visitors of all ages to recognize or learn about from a century ago.
Custom-made Mantel Clock: The unusual design looks like a vertically stretched tambour clock, with dimensions 18” W by 19” H. I don’t recognize the striped wood veneer on the heavy, well-made case – perhaps tiger maple?
The clock has a Pequegnat Berlin-period dial. The movement is mounted on the removeable Golden oak case back board that is held in place by ten screws. There is a 2½“ diameter brass-shell-over-cast hall clock with -iron bob that is visible through the 2” diameter glass window in the door. leaded glass components in Cont’d P . 6 the door
THE BYTOWN TIMES Page 6
CLOCK MUSEUM NEWS (CONT’D)
From P. 5
I often wonder who made this clock, and why. Perhaps it was a special gift for someone a century ago?
Uncatalogued pre-1916 movement The small side door in the oak buffet which oak buffet clock opens to access the pendulum bob
Uncatalogued mantel clock (19” H)
Back of the case with removeable movement board
Allan Symons, Curator The Canadian Clock Museum
Page 7 VOLUME 38 NO. 5 NOVEMBER 25, 2018 CLOCK REPAIR COURSE
Dan Hudon completed his annual clock repair course in mid-October. The classes were held, as in past years, on Saturdays at the Nepean Creative Arts Centre This year’s curriculum was covered specific machin- ing techniques and opening the floor to the students’ problems and their resolution.
Thanks for another great course, Dan!
Tom Devey creating a safe edge on a file Tom Clifford, Tom Devey & Robert Robert St-Louis creating his safe edge while Tom Clifford inspects his own work St-Louis comparing the results
Dan Hudon shows his technique for holding a hand Removing a mainspring from a graver when cutting and shaping on the lathe barrel using the Ollie Baker winder Thanking Dan for his course!
THE OTTAWA CHAPTER’S ON-LINE PRESENCE
It’s easy to forget! The Club has both a Facebook Page and a Website!
The Web Site (www.ottawaclocksandwatches.ca) shows the history of the club, the dates of the meetings and the agenda for the next session. It provides the latest newsletter AND an archive of every newsletter go- ing back to January 1991! One page provides links to a number videos created by the late Jim Connell as well as information of general interest to collectors. This website is open to the public and even has an e-mail connection to our secretary.
Our Facebook Page is a great forum. If you have a question to ask about a specific repair, the history of a clock or watch, or any other horological issue, simply make a post and it will be directed to a member who can answer. Or if you would like to show off a new acquisition, you can do that too. Our page is currently accessible only to club members but that may change. Log into Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/) or, if new to Facebook, sign up on the same page. Then under “Search” at the top of the page, type “Ottawa Clocks and Watches”. That will bring you to our page. To post a message or query you need to be regis- tered. Simply request authorization via a post on that page. Daniel Burgoyne reviews all requests.
THE BYTOWN TIMES Page 8
NOVEMBER MEETING LOCATION
The November meeting of the Ottawa Valley Clock and Watch Club will be held at the…... North Gloucester Library, 2036 Ogilvie Road NB. We have reserved both rooms for this meeting. The larger room for the presentations and the smaller for the Mart Directions…. • Take the Blair Road Exit from the Queensway and head North. • Turn Right on Ogilvie • The Library is on your right The Library does not open until 1:00 PM so it is best to arrive after that hour
WINE AND CHEESE PARTY
Come one and all to our Annual Wine and Cheese social!
It will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2018 from 2 to 5 PM.
The location will be the same as last year, at the home of Gary and Sharon Fox.
Despite rising costs, the price remains a very reasonable $10 per person.
If you haven’t yet received the emailed invitation, contact Paul Sonnichsen at…. [email protected]
EDITOR’S CORNER PRESIDENT’S CORNER
“It was a dark and stormy night!” Snoopy The thought of Fall brings to my from the cartoon Peanuts started every new mind some favourite sensory pleas- novel with that well worn line, but he never ures: the smell of dry leaves and did finish a book! Well for us in Ottawa, it the sound of their crunch under was definitely a dark stormy evening on Fri- foot, fresh air but still a slight heat day, September 21 when six tornadoes in the sun. touched down in the region, devastating Dunrobin, Arlington Woods and other areas in Gatineau The Fall also brings to mind our and our city. Many of us were without power for days Clock Club Training Session conducted by our but we were among the fortunate whose homes weren’t very own Dan Hudon. Every Fall since I’ve been destroyed. We all owe a vote of thanks to the Hydro a member of the Club Dan has lead amazing crews, police and fire departments who worked tireless- training sessions, from basic clock repair to ad- ly to restore a sense of normalcy to our community. A vanced skill development such as lathe work, tool special thanks to our members who helped out with making and clock repairs. I would personally like contributions to the food bank and others who volun- to take this opportunity to thank Dan for sharing teered to help clear properties damaged by the storms. his skills with the Club. During this Fall’s session Our own Jan Selles took chainsaw in hand and went to I was able to make use of Dans main spring wind- Dunrobin to clear access to homes. Unlike Snoopy who er to remove two barrel springs from an antique never finished a story, we will finish ours! wall mounted clock I inherited from my par- ents. The clock is now completely cleaned, reas- Our newsletter is much shorter than usual as we had to sembled, running, and proudly displayed at cancel the September meeting. Our report on that home. would have accounted for at least an additional two pages! Nonetheless, thanks to Allan Symons for his Thank-you Dan for making the joy of clock repair article and to Robert St-Louis for his pictures from Dan possible for me and other Club members.. Hudon’s course! Gary Fox Don Purchase