Thanks Greg

You can find a list of railroad movements in the third post of this subject. Other watches and ephemera are welcome as well but the listed movements would constitute a good representation of Elgin's railroad production.

I've tried to space the table out a bit to make it more readable. It is pretty hard to do if one isn't familiar with html. (I am obviously not!).

[I've reformatted the table and posted as a jpeg. Please see 3rd post on page 1 of this thread.]

Jim Cope's post cards would be appreciated. These particular cards are rarely seen images.

The two watches donated by by Julian Smith arrived at the Museum yesterday and are in the safe pending processing into the collection. These are ladies watches, circa 1950. They are a little worn but clean and make for good examples of the very small movements made (sorry I do not knwo the exact size right off hand). They be worked into the display somewhere.

The museum has one or two 1876 Elgin Almanacs in our archives. If we had a third copy we would use it on display. Paper products, especially ones that old, fade and deteriorate under light so having a third copy that we could "sacrifice" for display purposes is helpful.

Again, let me say that our goal is to exhibit as many examples of Elgin products as possible. While collectors are more selective in what they want for the personal use the Museum's goal is be broad based and educational.

Also let me say that the buzz from of this project has got our Board of Directors excited. Once there is some sustained momentum from it we will probably seek out press coverage. Thanks to all Chapter 185 readers for the help.

It's always hard to part with your "stuff"! However, I'm willing to donate something that was used in the Elgin Watch Factory. It's a ten movement assembly tray for 12s, grade 315 movements. There were over one million of these movements made between 1903 to 1939. I'll even throw in a 12s parts movement (in parts).

I need to add that other grade and size movements were probably assembled from this tray in prior years. It just so happens that the last time this tray was used at the factory was during assembly of grade 315 movements. It has a little round tag on the outside with the numbers "315" and S/N 18,360,481.

My guess is that this tray was retired around 1914 following some sort of new assembly process. Anyway, were lucky that the tag remained with the tray to help date and describe what it was used for.

I've got some more fun stuff to donate if they are things the museum could use. I will work out getting them to the museum with Lindell.

Two mainspring boxes:

Mainspring Box #2:

Shipping Box for 18s watch. Top view:

Watch Inspector pocket advertisement (front):

Back:

Postcard #1 (used from 1909):

Postcard #2 (used from 1906)

Postcard #3 (unused)

This is a neat gilded coffee cup? with a picture of the Elgin factory:

Another view of the porcelain cup:

And finally...

This a non-working 16s 21J BW Raymond "run of the mill" pocket watch, not sure of the grade. Won't wind currently, but a skilled person could probably get it going. Most likely it needs to be cleaned. It is in average condition overall, but it is good example of an original case/dial/movement.

Face of watch:

Movement:

Wonderful material John!

and the B W Raymond looks like a Grade 478 in s Style 26 case;
on the list and definitely

Thank you for a very generous contribution!
Ron

On April 20th, Greg Davis wrote:

quote:

Okay, I'll check my dial collection and see if I have any loose Elgin fancies. Otherwise, I'll send along a watch with a fancy attached... in addition to the 1876 Almanac (which I invite you to sacrifice).

Today, I received an email from Greg that in addition to the Almanac, he sent Elisabeth Marston at the Museum a very nice 15 jewel Grade 306 from 1904 with a fancy dial.

Thank you Greg. This will be a very nice addition to the Museum's display.

Here's a couple of railroads on the wish list. First is an 18 size BW Raymond Grade 116, Model 5p in a Silveroid swing ring case.

and the second is a 16 size BW Raymond Gr 372 with nice Montgomery dial:

I have an 18s JT Ryerson sn 32154 7jewels, KW/KS with correct dial but not running. If you can use this I will sent to Lindell for necessary cleaning.

Doug

LM 64

That would be GREAT Doug. Thanks for your contribution!

Ron

I have just visited the Museum and had a chance to view the items they have received.

The items received so far are very impressive!

The Museum's volunteer staff will be working on these over the summer, preparing them for display.

As Elisabeth Marston, Museum Director says:

quote:

I wanted to thank you [all] for turning the Museum's terrible theft into a positive group effort to rebuild the Museum's watch collection. I am so pleased with all the items coming in whether they are watches, postcards, catalogs, or ENWC tools.

There is still time to participate in this very worthwhile IHC Chapter 185's project.

There is still a need for a couple of 18s railroad models and some pretty common 16s grades.

Please see the table on the first page of this thread for details!

Ron

Thanks to John Flahive, the Elgin Museum now has an 18s 23j Veritas Gr 214 and another 18s 19j BWR Gr 240; both delivered at the IHC 185 tables at National. I'll post photos and update the target list when I get back home.

Thanks John!

Fantastic Lin!

That is a beautiful example of the end of the line for the 16s Raymond.

Thank you for another very generous contriibution.

Ron,
Could you give us all an update on the Elgin Historical Society Museum and its collection of Elgin watches.

I'll give you a bit of an update. I'm the treasurer of the museum, among other things. The museum just finished opening a big exhibit on Elgin's Jewish community. It was two years in the making and took up much of our voulnteer energies over the last several months have been tied up with that project. With this task behind us we will be turning our attention back to the watch exhibit. Supplies have been ordered and some planning has taken place for an exhibit upgrade which will include the recent donations. Some new cabinetry needs to be constructed. Other cabinets will get minor remodeling. The museum usually closes in January and February to allow for exhibit upgrades, painting, cleaning, etc. and the watch exhibit work will be completed during that period. Once again, thanks for all the help and support. We aspire to be the best archive of material on the Elgin National Watch Company.

Thanks for asking Tony. A status update was definitely overdue.

Bill described the status pretty well. Let me add:

The museum's staff is very small made up by an energetic and committed group of volenteers. While the largest portion of the exhibit space is dedicated to the National Watch Company, the museum's mission is much more broad. While the watch exhibit is permanent, much of the rest of the museum is reinvented over a year's time. As a result, it is an interesting and vibrant place to visit.

Thanks to the generosity of Ch 185 members, the watch exhibit is getting a substantial upgrade.

Ron