Collecting Antique Wall Clocks

Antique wall clocks are something often overlooked by many beginning antique collectors. When you mention wall clocks to the novice antique collector the first thing that pops to their minds are the cuckoo clocks they remember on grandma's wall as a child. Yes cuckoo clocks are a type of wall clock and are highly collectible in the antique clock market. The type is was refering too are the large wall clocks. Usually these larger wall clock have a wooden case, often cherry, walnut or oak and can vary from extremely ornate to relatively plain depending on who made it and when it was manufactured. Like most quality antique furniture the wall clocks design, shape and construction can range from mission style, victorian, oriental and even art deco. Most of these clocks you will find with two or three weight and a swinging pendulam. Some clocks will chime on the hour others on the half hour and some wont chime at all. Finding one of these clocks at garage sales is becoming more common as the youth today just doesnt seem to appreciate their elegance and beauty. I highly recommend snatching up any of these clocks, I will even buy non working ones just for their cases. You can always get them repaired later is you want to. I must caution you though there are many reproduction antique wall clocks on the market so make sure to do some research before you go out and plop down hundreds of dollars on a cheap copy.

Collecting Antique Instruments

Instruments and especially antique instruments often go unnoticed by most antique collectors and dealers. I think part of the reason is most of your average folks really just don't know anything about musical instruments. Yeah they have heard of the famous Stradivarius violins from the 16-1700's. but lets be real very few could ever afford one of those. I cant believe how many times I've been to a local estate auction and watched in amazement when they have had to almost give away vintage electric guitars, cellos, ukulele, banjos and many other instruments.


I think part of the reason is that many times these old dusty pieces of musical equipment are missing strings, have a few nicks and scratches and generally just don't look like they would ever be able to play again. You would be really surprised what a quality music store can do to restore an on banjo, drum set , violin or trumpet that has seen it's better days. Not only can these vintage instruments be used again but they make great band instruments for beginners.

If you have ever priced or bought new instruments for your child that was in the band then you know how expensive they can be. It might just be in your best intrest to take a second look at that antique clarinet, trumpet or guitar standing alone in the thrift shop. Collecting antiques doesn't mean you have to buy something and keep it in a show room often times the best part is restoring them and using them as they were originally intended. So go grab yourself an old vintage banjo and pick away out on the back porch.