My oldest brother gave our mother a Seth Thomas mantle clock when he was sixteen. Elder me wonders where he got the money. Eleven year old me remembers mom hugging that bell shaped, dark wood, old fashioned key clock like it was her sixth newborn child. Proud Michael. Happy mom.
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I lived on 113th & Amsterdam in late 90’s. Wondering now what other businesses were on the block between 113th & 114th before St. Luke’s expanded. Thanks for the Seth Thomas story, Sidney.
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Sidney, thank you for sharing your diary entry, which is wonderfully evocative of daily life in NY when the city wore a more humane face. By a remarkable coincidence, we just repaired an anniversary clock that my wife's uncle bought in Europe, as he was returning from serving in WWII. The old clock is treasured partly because the act of winding it, once or twice a year, will bring to mind times spent with a loved family member.
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Great story. It made me remember the NY of old with all the mom and pop stores, especially the butcher shops. That NY is a rare as the clock!
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wish there was a photograph of the clock!
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Can't say this enough: I love the Metropolitan Diary.
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dont over wind it ,only takes a little
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Thank you Sidney! Your Diary contribution brought back memories of a Seth Thomas windup mantel piece clock that my wife inherited from her grandmother. How soothing I found the constant tick-tock rhythm it presented.
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The Seth Thomas wall clock still works after the butcher gave it to you 53 years ago. And heaven only knows how old it already was in 1964.
I can picture the paint splatter on the clock along with blood spatters on the butcher’s apron.
Great story, Sidney. Thanks.
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This made me feel happy. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for a wonderful Diary entry Sidney to begin the week with. It was most assuredly a lovely gift and your story certainly resonates with those of us who admire fine works of craftsmanship that are also works of art. It somewhat boggles the mind to know that many digitally-savvy young people today would gaze at your clock and ask plaintively: “what time is it?”
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...'many digitally-savvy young people today would gaze at your clock and ask plaintively: “what (time) is it?”
The good ol' days of local neighborhood fishmongers, butchers and analog / non-digital wall clocks...
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I was taking summer courses at Columbia and living in that area around this time, so the piece had strong visual effect, and emotional too. I love the fact that you still value an 'old-fashioned' clock.
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"It was very kind of him, and I have loved having it."
This was such a warm, happy ending! Thank you, Sidney. Hoping that along with the reality show we're living, it can foreshadow occasional good feeling for the holiday season as the season starts. This Diary item certainly made me feel good.
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