Ansonia Clocks

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The Ansonia Clock Company: A Detailed History

Founding and Early Years (1851-1879)

The Ansonia Clock Company was founded in 1851 in Ansonia, Connecticut by Anson Greene Phelps, a successful copper manufacturer and businessman. The company was initially established to diversify Phelps' business interests beyond copper mining and brass manufacturing.

The company's location in Ansonia was strategic - the town was already a manufacturing center with water power from the Naugatuck River and access to brass and copper resources from Phelps' other operations. This vertical integration gave Ansonia Clock Company advantages in producing the metal components needed for clockmaking.

The Brooklyn Era (1879-1929)

In 1879, the company made a significant move to Brooklyn, New York, specifically to a large factory complex in the Williamsburg section. This relocation was driven by several factors:

• Better access to larger markets and shipping routes
• More available workforce
• Expansion opportunities

The Brooklyn period became the company's golden age. The factory was enormous and employed hundreds of workers at its peak.

Product Lines and Innovations

Variety of Clocks:

• Mantel clocks - Their bread and butter, produced in countless styles
• Wall clocks - Including regulators and gallery clocks
• Novelty clocks - Figural clocks with statues, often called "statue clocks"
• Crystal regulators - Elegant clocks with visible movements in glass cases
• Swinging clocks - Including their famous swinging doll and cherub designs
• Porcelain clocks - Elaborate cases decorated with Royal Bonn porcelain
• Black mantel clocks - Made with black enameled wood or iron cases

Distinctive Features: Ansonia clocks were known for their ornate, elaborate styling - often more decorative than their Connecticut competitors. They frequently featured:

• Elaborate brass ornamentation
• Figurines and statuary
• Rich finishes including gold plating
• Porcelain panels and decorative elements
• Visible escapements in some models

Manufacturing and Quality

Ansonia produced movements of varying quality levels to meet different price points:

• Higher-end movements - Well-made, reliable mechanisms comparable to other quality American makers
• Mid-range movements - Solid construction, their most common product
• Economy movements - Simpler, less expensive mechanisms for budget-conscious buyers

The company was known for innovation in manufacturing techniques and was one of the first to use certain mass-production methods in clockmaking.

Peak Production and Market Position

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ansonia was one of the largest clock manufacturers in America, rivaling Seth Thomas, Waterbury Clock Company, and others. They produced an enormous variety of models - literally hundreds of different designs over the company's lifetime.

Ansonia clocks were exported worldwide, and you can find them today in many countries. The company maintained extensive catalogs showcasing their products.

Decline and Closure (1929-1930)

The company faced increasing difficulties in the 1920s:

• Rising competition from cheaper imports
• Changing consumer tastes moving away from ornate Victorian styles
• Economic pressures leading up to the Great Depression
• Rising labor and material costs in New York

The company ceased operations around 1929-1930, a victim of the economic collapse and changing market conditions. After closure, the remaining assets, including clock movements and parts, were sold off. Some operations continued briefly under different ownership, but the original Ansonia Clock Company was finished.

Legacy and Collecting

Today's Market: Ansonia clocks remain popular with collectors, though they generally command moderate prices compared to some other makers. Notable exceptions include:

• Rare figural/statue clocks can be quite valuable
• Crystal regulators in excellent condition
• Unusual or rare models
• Clocks with exceptional original finish and decoration

Identification: Ansonia clocks typically feature:

• "Ansonia Clock Co." marked on the dial
• Paper labels inside cases (often deteriorated)
• "Ansonia" stamped on the movement
• Various patent dates on movements

Condition Issues: Common problems with Ansonia clocks include:

• Deteriorated or missing paper labels
• Worn gilding on brass components
• Damaged porcelain elements
• Mainspring failures (though movements are generally repairable)

The Ansonia Clock Company represents an important chapter in American clockmaking history, producing attractive, affordable timepieces for middle-class homes during America's Gilded Age and beyond.