The story of the Sidney Advertising Clock Company is very interesting. The NY firm made this turning-cylinder clock in a variety of styles, in multiple configurations of both large cases like this one, and in a smaller case. We have an extensive article in our Reference Library with more details and numerous photos of Sidney Advertising clocks.

This is a relatively rare clock. We've only seen photos in the past as not too many seem to have survived over the past 120 years. It is unique in that every 5 minutes or so the cylinders rotate one quarter turn, display a new ad, and the bell rings. The clocks were placed in dry goods or general merchandise stores with ad space sold by Sidney and revenue shared with the proprietor of the store where it hung. It's quite an entertaining clock to see in operation!

The restorer of this clock had a little difficulty spelling the word "Sidney" when the glass was replaced. We have consulted a gold-leaf sign expert and learned that the inadvertent(?) letter "Y" can, in fact, be replaced with an "I" in both the clock and city names for a cost of about $200. They would use a razor and carefully remove the letter "Y", then replace it with the correct letter.

Physical: The maple case measures 28"w x 72"h x 10.5"d. The crown and finials are replacements. The photos to the left show the clock with and without finials (it's your choice which way you want it as they are removable). All advertisements have been replaced at some point with appropriate ads. The hands and dial are contemporary replacements of the original. Based on the crackle finish we believe the dial was most likely done by the famous Smallwood firm, "The Dial House" in GA.

Mechanical: The clock is in our physical possession and in excellent running order. The calendar works well, too. The eight-day Seth Thomas movement was modified by the Sidney firm to add both calendar and trip mechanisms. Take a look at the clock movement and you will see a lever that protrudes on the right side. The photo from the back of the movement shows a large black disc. Looking closely, you will see that there are 12 little dots around the edge. What you are seeing is the back of 12 pins spread equidistant so that one trips the lever every 5 minutes. The lever is connected by a heavy wire to the "release" lever for the three spring-loaded cylinders in the base of the clock. There is a secondary movement in the base that provides the spring power for this rotation. There are detailed photos of all for your review.

Comments: If you have been seeking either a large conversation piece, or, specifically, a Sidney Advertising clock, this one's for you. Give us a call for additional information or to make it your own. We will take it to our crater here locally, or you can pick it up in Vista CA.

Questions? Contact us by phone at 760-604-0262, or e-mail.

PHOTO LINKS:
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Front Left – finials on Front Right– finials on Front Left – finials off Upper Section Lower Section Crown – Front Crown – Left Crown – Right Cylinders – Closeup Door Door Glass – Closeup Dial Dial – Closeup Front – Dial/Pend Off Clock Movement – Front Clock Movement – Front Right Clock Movement – Signature Clock Movement – Bottom Clock Movement – Back-1 Clock Movement – Back-2 Cylinder Movement Cylinder Movement – Closeup Cylinder Movement – Release Lever		click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click