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The New Haven ClockTake me to the Auctions! Camp struck a major deal with the Jerome Manufacturing Company to supply them, but only a few years later Camp was able to buy the entire Jerome business when it was placed into administration in 1856. This timely purchase gave Camp his opportunity to begin full clock making operations.
1866 proved a trying year for New Haven; a fire in the factory all but destroyed it, however because of the importance to the town a new factory building was quickly established and production soon recovered and indeed increased significantly, along with increases in the number of people working at the factory. By the year 1880, production had increased so much that other lines of business were being sought. A new "pocket watch" was developed and so New Haven began producing these too, along with their New Haven clocks. A year before Camp's death he resigned from the New Haven board. Faced with both his own ill health and a financial crisis brought on by the continuing drain on the company's finances by way of large dividend payments to those running the company, he considered that he could not continue in his position. Hiram Camp passed away on July 8th 1893, below is his obituary as printed in the New York Times and dated July 10th 1893:
After Camp's demise the company was thrown into financial crisis and his successor, Samuel A. Galpin, had great difficulty keeping the company from going into receivership, such was the extent of the financial crisis. Galpin was not to last more than a few years, however it should be said that it was he that saved the life of the company with a financial reorganization that kept the operation running. Galpin's successor was Walter C. Camp who for the next twenty years brought stability to the New Haven Clock company by reorganizing not only its finances but also instigating more efficient production methods which made the company much more efficient and cost effective. The next major hurdle to overcome was the depression of 1929. Under the new leadership of Richard H. Whitehead the company successfully worked through the depression until the period spanning World War II, when all New Haven clock manufacture was suspended in order to help with the war effort. New Haven clock production began again in 1946. For a company that was successfully steered through numerous crises, wars and a depression it is pitiful that the New Haven Clock Company would eventually fail at the hands of investors who were unable to provide adequate leadership. After Whitehead resigned in 1964, the company gradually dwindled to a state where it could function no more, and in 1960 the doors finally closed on this once great company. New Haven Clock Models There is no shortage of New Haven Clocks for you to collect. From a range of around 240 models to choose from, the more common ones you might come across are the "Drop Octagon", "Admiral", many different models of its Regulator wall clocks, "Waring", "Welton" and the very beautiful "Thoreau". Happy Collecting!
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The purchase of the Jerome operation gave Camp the facilities he required to expand production significantly, and by 1860 he was a major employer in the area, employing more than 350 people at his factory. Camp was also a man of considerable power, holding many public office positions and assisting many with generous contributions to charitable organizations. 
