Antique Kroeber Clocks
Take me to the Auctions!
The seeds of antique Kroeber Clocks started off around 1860 in New York when Florenz Friedrick Martin Kroeber started work for a small clock makers called "Owen & Clark" in the city. When he started there he had no idea where his new career would ultimately go, but as he gained an interest in horology his knowledge grew to a point where he wanted more involvement in the company.
It was fortuitous that Kroeber started when he did, for later the next year in 1861, the partnership broke down and the company was taken over by George B. Owen, one of the original partners. Kroeber continued working for Owen for the next three years and when Owen decided to accept a position working for the Gilbert Clock Company, Kroeber seized his chance to take full control of the company.
From his takeover in 1864 to 1868 Kroeber continued running the business with little expansion until he met with a cast metal producer, Nicholas Mueller. Kroeber could see that Mueller would be an important asset for making antique Kroeber Clocks, so a partnership was formed.
Unfortunately the partnership wasn't destined to last, and Kroeber once again began looking for other partners in 1869. His search didn't turn up any suitable candidates, so Kroeber began work on designing his own clock cases and was successful in striking a deal with a local clock movement maker to supply him with suitable movements.
The manufacture of antique Kroeber Clocks was a success, and for the next twenty plus years Kroeber went from strength to strength, in the process opening another retail outlet in Manhattan. Towards the end of the 1880s, Kroeber had a large inventory of antique Kroeber clocks for sale and in 1887 the company was finally incorporated as the F. Kroeber Clock Company.
As with most clock manufacturers of the time, Kroeber was severely affected by the economic downturn that affected the country starting in 1893. In fact, it was far more than a downturn, this would turn out to be the worst depression the US would see in its history; Kroeber would struggle to survive.
In 1895 the Manhattan shop was shut down and the business slowly succumbed to the inevitable. By 1899 the company could survive no longer and was placed into receivership. Kroeber however, would continue his clock making but on a much smaller scale. But even this venture would eventually fail, forcing Florenz Kroeber into personal bankruptcy.
Kroeber was forced to go back to work as an employee, and over the next few years of his life he worked for numerous New York horologists who had managed to survive the downturn. Kroeber passed away in 1911, leaving his legacy of antique Kroeber Clocks for us all to collect and treasure for the future.
Kroeber Clock Models
As you can imagine, antique Kroeber Clocks are not that easy to come across. Of the 70 or so models that you are likely to find, the "Ventura", "Jamestown" and their Regulator clocks, especially the No.30 & 43 seem to be the ones most commonly found. I would strongly advise getting hold of Tran Duy Ly's book - "Kroeber Clocks - American & Imported" to learn more about these wonderful clocks.
Happy Collecting!
 |
Today's U.S. Auctions of Antique Clocks on eBay.
|
|
* all articles on auction courtesy of eBay ** links open a new window at eBay with product details.
US Auctions Top
Click Here - to return to auction index
 |
Today's U.K. Auctions of Antique Clocks on eBay.
|
|
* all articles on auction courtesy of eBay ** links open a new window at eBay with product details.
No items showing? - Check out eBay US above for harder to find clocks.
Click Here - to return to auction index
UK Auctions Top
US Auctions Top
Antique Kroeber Clocks Top
|