Catalog Sequence 1897 through 1944

Prior to 1906 Chelsea Clock Company advertised their clocks in magazines such as "The Rudder" and "Country Life In America". During the early years of the company Chelsea spent the better part of their creative energy in designing and patenting numerous clock movements and cases. By 1906 these design efforts had been completed and Chelsea presented these ideas to the world in their first catalog, Catalog A of September 1, 1906. Over the next century Chelsea would add to this first catalog as new items were added or removed and prices were changed. Chelsea catalogs were noted by letter until 1928 when they were subsequently noted by number starting with catalog #14.

Catalog E of October 1911 is the second known catalog of the Chelsea Clock Company. Catalogs B, C, and D are unknown to present day collectors, and evidence exists that indicates that these letters were not issued to full size catalogs, but were issued to supplemental catalogs for autoclocks, etc.. Catalogs I and J also are unknown presently and the short period (2 years), between catalogs H2 and K, would make the publishing of two full size catalogs for this short period seem excessive. Perhaps these catalogs were supplemental catalogs for autoclocks or just price changes. A significant change to the catalog designation system occurred in 1928, coinciding with the death of the founder of the company, Charles H. Pearson. After 1928 catalog designations changed from letter designations to number designations beginning with catalog #14. It is interesting to note the correlation of the numbers and letters prior to 1928 and that the subsequent number designation matches perfectly as if the numbering system had begun with the first catalog.

# Catalog Year(s) Description Notes
1. A* 1906 September 1, 1906 Catalogs A through M referred to by letter
2. B ? NO KNOWN COPY
3. C ? NO KNOWN COPY
4. D ? NO KNOWN COPY
5. E* 1911 October 1, 1911 Reproduced by T.D. Ly.  Used to illustrate T.D. Ly’s American Clocks 1 and 2.
6. F* 1917 January 18, 1917
7. G* 1919 July 29, 1919 Catalogs G and H referred to in memo of Aug 11, 1920
8. H* 1920 January 1, 1920 See above
9. H2* 1921
1921/23?
March 1, 1921
Leaflet H, Eight Distinctive Designs in Chelsea Clocks.
10. I ? NO KNOWN COPY
11. J ? NO KNOWN COPY
12. K* 1923 March 1, 1923 Used to illustrate T.D. Ly’s American Clocks 1 and 2.
13. L* 1925 September 1, 1925 Catalog L was issued for two years 1925 and 1926
13. L* 1926 December 1, 1926 Last Catalog 10" and 12" striking clocks and Special Grand Dial offered
14. M* 1928 January 1928 C. H. Pearson dies after publication of Catalog M
14. 14* 1928 September 1928 Hereafter catalogs referred to by number
15. 15* 1929 July 1929 Uniquely styled cutout cover catalog.
16. 16* 1930 November 1930 Telechron Motored Clocks
17. 17 1931 January 1931 Reproduced by NAWCC 1993
18. 18* 1932 Not dated Price List becomes a separate dated item
19. 19* 1936 Not dated
20. 20* 1938
1940
Not dated
Copyright 1940

New Chelsea Clocks" Leaflet
21. 21 1941 Not dated Last Catalog 10" and 12" time only clocks offered
22. 22 ?
1941
1942
1943
1944
NO KNOWN COPY
Not dated
August 1, 1942
February 1943
May 1, 1944

Parts List U.S. Navy Mark I Deck and Boat Clocks
Special Radio Room Clock
Parts List U. S. Army, Message Center, M1
Marine Clocks (Phenolic)

* Original Catalogs Property of Chelsea Clock Museum



 
Chelsea Clock Museum

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