For the first time in the year 1927 a clock that met the needs for accuracy. Busy men. . busy women..,engagement pads full of appointment. . .trains to catch . fifty miles an hour and the four-wheel brake, faster goes modern life on those days. The then old-fashioned, hand wound clock couldn't keep up with the need for absolute accuracy. Time must be measured to the minute. The Sangamo (electrically wound) Clock was the answer. Simply plug it into any convenience outlet or light socket (alternating current). It winds itself. Current interruptions did not stop it. It used about 50 cents worth of current per year.
And it stayed accurate within 30 seconds a week. . . guaranteed. ..the accuracy of a railroad watch. The Sangamo Clock have a clock movement. It has chronometer gears. It has a watch escapement. Into its movement is built a small precision motor. The current starts the motor. The motor winds the mainspring, and keeps the mainspring wound to uniform tension.
The Sangamo (electrically wound) Clock was made by a famous manufacturer of precision electrical instruments, with the time-controlling escapement by a famous watch maker. It acted as a master clock for all other clocks in the household. It settled forever in a home the question, "What time is it?"
Current variations di not affect the timekeeping qualities of a Sangamo. Even a blow fuse did not interrups its ticking. A tiny motor built into the Sangamo faithfully and uniformly winds the mainspring-noiselessly, automatically, continuously. Sangamo was essentially different from all other clocks-electric or otherwise. So modern, so beautiful, so accurate, so reasonable priced, was the Sangamo Electric Clock that it revolutionize the clock industry.
Sangamo clocks came in period designs; in 45 styles; in rich woods, in bronze, in leather; charming color designs which harmonize with any room in any modern home. Melodious two-toned strikes on many models record hours and half-hours with musical note.
A beautiful Sangamo Electric could be purchased in the 1920s for $25, $35, $45, $55, strike or non-strike, as preferred. For those who choose to own the most luxurious cases, there were Sangamos up to $400.
"Telling time," an interesting book on clocks, showing reproductions of the Sangamo Act of Parliament Clock and many other famous old masterpieces, as well as the then latest styles in clocks, was sent up on request.
Had you lived in England in 1797, you would have had to pay a five-shilling tax on each clock or watch you owned. Clocks at that time were a luxury which only the rich could afford. Hence they tax on all timepieces.
The now famous Act of Parliament passed in 1797, is as follows:
"Ordaining that- for and upon every clock or timekeeper, by whatever name the same shall be called, which shall be use for the pupose of a clock and place in or upon any dwelling house, there shall be charge an annual duty of 5 shilling."
"Whereupon the obnoxious Act of Parliament created such a shortage of timekeepers-enterprising publicans placed large clocks in the common rooms of their taverns that patrons might be serve-with the time; and it became custom that, wanting the time,we needed only send a lackey to the tavern!"
