Central Illinois Chapter 66
National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors
Original Chapter Charter 1970/Renewed Charter 2009
Past President Walter Maguire:
In the summer of 2009, Chapter 66 was in disarray due to the question of remaining affiliated with NAWCC. At the election of new officers in August 2009, I became President and John Herron was elected Secretary-Treasurer. We were elected by those members of Chapter 66 who were current members of NAWCC. The Chapter moved to Urbana, and held its first meeting at the Urbana Free Library. A presentation by Bruce Hannon on the Champaign County Courthouse clock renovation was well attended. This boded well for the rebirth of Chapter 66 and its mission.
During the following months, John Herron and I made many attempts to recover Chapter 66 funds from the previous administration. Since these efforts proved futile, the membership in early 2011 voted to concentrate on our mission of Horological education, with equal emphasis on clocks and watches.
Over the past 2 years I have enjoyed the privilege of being President and arranging presentations for the group. I have had considerable help from John Herron. I am glad that, at the last election of officers, John agreed to remain as Secretary-Treasurer. He will be of great assistance to the new President, Carl Lair. I will continue to work with Chapter 66 as Vice President and stress our educational mission.
President Carl Lair:
I first would like to say it’s an honor and privilege to be given this opportunity to be President of Chapter 66.
I would like to thank the previous board members and the Past President Walter McGuire for their service and creating a great foundation that we can build upon.
I would also like to thank Secretary-Treasurer John Herron, for all of his hard work and for continuing on as Secretary-Treasurer. The Secretary-Treasurer position is a very important position and can be time consuming.
In May 2006, I attended Gene Harris semi-annual auction in Marshalltown, IA. There I met and talked with Gene’s son Tom. In our conversation, Tom directed me toward the NAWCC. Later that day I met Chuck Cline, Secretary of Chapter 29, and he told me about Chapter 66. I joined Chapter 66 later that summer.
After several meetings, I decided I needed more, I was new to clock collecting and I wanted to know all there was. Now Chapter 66 is meeting here in Urbana and the presentations, field trips, and hands-on demonstrations have been excellent. I plan to continue with the education, whether it’s a presentation from a member, outside source, field trips or hands-on demonstrations.
However, in order to continue the presentations I’ll need the help of all of the members. Whether that’s giving a presentation or participating in a group discussion or suggesting a topic. For those who would want to give a presentation, remember it does not have to be long, to be informative or interesting.
This Chapter is bigger than any one person it will take cooperation of all of its members to continue on the path of a great venue.
I would like to invite everyone to come and see what Chapter 66 is all about, whether you were a previous member or just a horologist enthusiast looking to share and gain knowledge in the world of horology.
I like to quote my friend John Herron, “We are gonna have FUN!” and we do!
Secretary/Treasurer John Wm. Herron:
To begin with, I want to thank Walter Maguire for his service as Past President, Carl Lair as incoming President, participants in the Mart, and everyone who presented or assisted in some fashion. Most importantly, I want to thank all of the members and guests who have attended the meetings. Your support has had a tremendous impact on the continued success of the Chapter.
Technology has greatly enhanced who we are and what we are all about. The return of Chapter 66 Highlights in the “Bulletin/Mart” has helped bring life back to the Chapter. With the NAWCC provided web page and service, Chapter 66 information can be accessed by anyone throughout the World. Also, the use of the Internet to personally notify members of program information has been a welcomed means of communication.
As Chapter 66 begins its 43rd year, members, guests, and future members can continue to look forward to a variety of educational programs and fun.
Please enjoy the following 2011 Year in Review as a snapshot of another great year.
2011 Year in Review
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Program: Reproduction and Original English Fusee Clocks by Walter J. Maguire
In the early 1970’s Walter purchased a 12” fusee wall clock in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Popular in schools, post offices, railway stations, and other public buildings in the U.K, they were made by the Elliott Company or the Williamson Company. The clock ran for several years until the late 70’s, when it fell off the wall, pulling off the dial pillars and bending the crutch. With the help of Gary Hodge, another chapter 66 member, it was recently brought back to life.
A 14” R.A.F. fusee wall clock was bought in early 2000s at a regional meeting. He did not examine it carefully in the gloom of the basement mart and was told that the movement was by Elliott and from the late 1930’s.
Upon closer examination of the clock at home, a maker’s name or serial number could not be found. The dial, case supports, movement pillars, plates, pendulum, and bezel were not as they should have been. It was a reproduction.
His advice: Examine the piece in good light and if in doubt, don’t buy.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Program: The Use of the Hamilton Watch Chronometer in Military Aviation by Rol Barger
Radar operator, Rol Barger, served aboard an airplane that refuelled other airplanes. Issued to the navigators was an anti-magnetic chronometer. Time, distance, and speed are crucial. Brought to show were an Astro Compass (not magnetic), an Air Almanac, H0249 Sight Reduction Table, a Periscoptic Sextant, LEOWNS (Long Range Over Water Navigation System, WWII Calculator, and a newer calculator with math on one side and wind on the other side that requires no batteries and never runs down
Adding to the discussion was guest Edward B. Vaughan Jr., Ret. Commander of a Nuclear Submarine, who supported Rol’s declaration that the navigator was crucial to any mission. Today, the GPS and INS has made it much easier and more accurate for the Navigator to know where they have been and where they are at any given time.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Program: A Tour of the Logan County Courthouse Clock organized by Paul Carder
We met at the Lincoln Christian Church at approximately 9:00 a.m. Due to the rain we drove the very short distance to the Courthouse. Five small groups took turns climbing the catwalk as far as possible due to the current construction of the courthouse tower clock area. Each group viewed the Seth Thomas Tower Clock movement. The movement has for some time been run by two electric motors. It is a goal of Logan County to restore the clock to its original condition.
Seth Thomas first made tower clocks in 1872 in Thomaston, Connecticut, and continued to make the clocks until 1937. In June of 1905 Logan County Officials agreed to purchase the tower clock which came with a five year warranty against original defects and guaranteed to be within ten seconds a month of the correct time if cared for properly. Installed the same year, the tower clock wheels were made of bronze and the remaining parts were of steel. Seth Thomas also provided the four clock faces. The dials are about nine feet in diameter and made of plate glass.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Program: Challenges in Providing Informative Programs by John Herron and Demonstration of the Sherline Lathe for Repivoting and Threading by Walter Maguire and Recognition of Chapter 66’s 41st Anniversary
John Herron discussed the challenges involved in providing informative programs and/or presentations for Chapter meetings. He encouraged all members to look for interesting presenters/programs and to think about presenting themselves as who can you learn better from than our own members. Walter Maguire gave a hands-on demonstration in the use of his new Sherline lathe for repivoting and threading. Members gathered around the lathe as Walter showed how to use the lathe correctly. The Chapter appreciated his willingness to bring the lathe to the meeting and share his knowledge from his own hands-on experience.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Program: Show and Tell
Carl Lair brought in a free standing Coo Coo Clock purchased at auction several years ago. One side was fusee. This circa 20 inch tall and 12 inch wide clock, with fretwork, has the original bird with flapping wings and is estimated to have been made around 1880.
Walter Maguire showed a self winding clock made in NY that had been converted to run on four batteries. He brought in the original dry cell batteries which made the clock quite heavy.
Fred A. Hansen shared the Overhaul of Chronometer Restricted Manuals. In 1949 the manuals were made available to the public. Many copies exist and parts of the original manuals, but complete original manuals are rarely seen.
John Herron provided a hands-on look at clock springs ranging from modern to old. Springs should never be put in a clock if the spring has a crack as it can explode and damage the inner workings of the clock
Frank Nachman shared a private label Dave and Charles Lewis of Manchester, Iowa, 15j 16 size circa 1908 Illinois pocket watch along with ephemera about the brothers.
Paul Carder was researching Burlington watches. Members shared information about the Burlington Watch Co. of Chicago being a mail order company. They were midgrade Illinois Watch with no association to Burlington Railroad. This same information applies to the Santa Fe watches. However, the 21 jewel Burlington is quite desirable.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Program: The Memory Clock by Safwat Wahba
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Safwat was unable to present at this time. The membership looks forward to a future presentation on the Memorandum Clock. The membership had a lively discussion involving attendance at other Chapter Meetings and Regional Marts as well as future programs for Chapter 66. All agreed that it is important to support other Chapters as well as attending Regional Marts. Possible carpooling was discussed.