Seth Thomas Mod-Trotter

SETH THOMAS MOD-TROTTER No. 3563 WIND-UP FOLDING TRAVEL ALARM CLOCK WITH ORIGINAL BOX Round folding clamshell travel alarm clock in a yellow enameled case with gold-tone bezel and rim bands, hinged so the back half swings down as a stand. The yellow dial carries black numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 with black and luminous dot markers, black hands, script "Seth Thomas" below the center and "GERMANY" at the bottom. The back plate is stamped "GERMANY" and has two winding keys, a folding bail-style winder and a set knob; the lid interior is lined in cream. The original two-piece box is printed "SETH THOMAS" with the tricorn-hat clockmaker trademark, "FINE CLOCKS SINCE 1813" and "SETH THOMAS / A DIVISION OF GENERAL TIME CORP." on the lid, and the end panel reads "No. 3563 / MOD-TROTTER / BY / SETH THOMAS / 40 HOUR ALARM / YELLOW CASE / YELLOW DIAL LUMINOUS." Flaws include the gold coating on the box rubbed through to white along every edge and corner with scuffing and soiling, dark tarnish, discoloration and scratches across the brass-colored back plate, light scuffs to the yellow case and gold-tone bezel, small dark specks and light soiling on the dial with dulled luminous dots, and a soiled lid liner. The movement, the timekeeping and the alarm are all UNTESTED and were not wound or run. Sold as one clock with its original box. Description Form: round folding clamshell travel alarm, mechanical wind-up, case opens on a hinge so the cover becomes an easel stand. Construction/Finish: yellow enameled metal case with gold-tone bezel and rim bands, cream lined interior, yellow dial under a domed crystal, brass-colored back plate with two winding keys, folding bail winder and set knob. Marks: dial reads "Seth Thomas" and "GERMANY"; back plate stamped "GERMANY"; box lid reads "SETH THOMAS / FINE CLOCKS SINCE 1813 / SETH THOMAS / A DIVISION OF GENERAL TIME CORP."; box end panel reads "No. 3563 / MOD-TROTTER / BY / SETH THOMAS / 40 HOUR ALARM / YELLOW CASE / YELLOW DIAL LUMINOUS." Size: clock approximately 2 to 3 in across closed and approximately 2 in tall standing open, per the tape-measure photographs; box approximately 3 in square with depth estimated at approximately 1 in. Attribution note Seth Thomas began making clocks in Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut in 1813, and the town was later renamed Thomaston in his honor, per the company timelines published by Wikipedia, Times Ticking and clockhistory.com. In November 1930 the stockholders of Seth Thomas and the Western Clock Company approved a merger under a holding company, General Time Instruments Corporation, and that name was shortened to General Time Corporation in 1949, which places the "A DIVISION OF GENERAL TIME CORP." box wording after 1949; General Time was in turn acquired by Talley Industries in 1968, and later Seth Thomas catalogs add the Talley line, per clockhistory.com and the Seth Thomas catalog records. Clockworks notes that after about 1950 Seth Thomas no longer made its own movements and used German-made units, which matches the "GERMANY" marking here, and dealers commonly date these folding clamshell travel alarms to the 1960s. The Mod-Trotter name and bright yellow colorway fit the mod styling of the later 1960s into the 1970s. All identifications are offered as the consignor's photo-based opinion and are not guaranteed. Bid on the item as pictured. Notes for bidders Mechanical travel alarms of this age generally need a cleaning and oiling before regular use, so do not force a stiff winding key or set knob. Wind gently and stop at the first resistance, dust the case with a soft dry cloth, and keep liquids and household cleaners off the enamel, the gold-tone bezel and the printed dial. Store it closed so the crystal and dial stay protected, and keep the original box out of damp storage since the gold coating lifts easily where it is already rubbed. Only the items pictured are included in this lot. Terms Sold as-is, where-is, with no warranty expressed or implied. All sales final. Please ask any questions before bidding. Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping arrangements per auction terms.