N Muller's Sons Clock #213

[Steven Thornberry]

Diane and Harold: Beautiful clocks; I love the pendulum!!

So, Harold, when may we expect your monograph on Mueller?

[harold bain]

Steven, as soon as my skill level includes making transfers, I'll start working on a new glass for this one. I still have a box full of broken glass to use to reproduce this. The stencil (or transfer, not sure which would have been used) actually had initials of the designer (JM) built into it. Nicholas Muller had a daughter named Joanna (married Florence Kroeber) and Herman Muller had a middle initial J.
Proabably never find out which one designed the stencil for this.

[dcquinn]

Good morning all,
Yet one more question from the novice...when I have this clock restored should I leave the wood in its current condition or have it cleaned/refinished? I have heard recommendations in both directions.
Diane

[harold bain]

Definately have it cleaned, or do it yourself. The least aggressive cleaning, using something like a waterless hand cleaner (I use GOJO, without pumice) and a toothbrush would make a significant difference to the appearance of the wood. Often these cases have spent generations in the homes of smokers, and the buildup of nicotine hides the true color of the wood. After cleaning, a rubdown with a lemon oil furniture polish will bring up the finish.
If you have it professionally done, make sure the restorer will use only shellac as a finish, as this is what would have been originally used.

[Bill Ward]

Mullers also made tower clocks.
Diane, please don't let the urge to "brighten up" destroy the wonderful patina on your clock. Finishes in the late 19thC were almost always much darker than is fashionable today. (My great aunt, whose house was furnished in this period, owned nothing any lighter-colored than your clock, and she was a formidible anti-tobacconist!)
If this was on your aunt's mantlepiece, why is it shown on its own shelf?

[Dave B]

A quick word about cleaning: Be extreeeeeeeemley careful cleanig around the label. I can see in the photos, the paper is becoming quite brittle. The slightest touch will probably break pieces off - even a gust of air could easily damage it. There have been many discussions about labels and how to stabilize them in these message boards. Read all you can stand to before messing with it. And then, as my grandfather used to say to me, "Make haste slowly."