One of our favorite Black Forest clockmakers is without question Emilian Wehrle. Emilian Wehrle made some of the most fantastic musical clocks to come out of the Black Forest during the 19th century. Although he is most known for his trumpeter clocks, he also made flute clocks, singing bird clocks, rooster clocks, and cuckoo clocks. His clocks were made of the highest quality, and in very low numbers when compared to Black Forest clock production as a whole. The photograph above is a magnificent shelf trumpeter made by Emilian, we have also included a short video showing the basic mechanical workings of this clock, the end of the video allows you to hear the clock in action.

For those who are interested in learning more about Emilian Wehrle, we have co authored an article with Al Wehrle, a good friend and Emilian’s Great Grandson! This detailed 16 page article gives a detailed look into the early years of Emilian’s life, and the clocks he produced with an overview of how they work, as well as the history of his factory and his decedents down to the present day.

The article titled, “Emilian Wehrle, The Man and His Clocks”, is being published in the March/April 2012 edition of the NAWCC Bulletin.  For those of you who are already members of the NAWCC, you will be receiving this article with next months issue. If you are not a member of the NAWCC you may want to consider joining (www.nawcc.org).

We are always looking to learn more about Emilian Wehrle and his clocks. If you have a clock you think may have been made by Wehrle please contact us. We are always interested in seeing other examples to further our research.

We also want to let you know our new book Rare and Unusual Black Forest Clocks is now available for preorder through our website.  If you have an interest in Black Forest horology this is a must have text for your library. We are currently offering free shipping anywhere in the USA with all preorders (as well as discounted international shipping). We encourage those who are interested to preorder the book and take part of this limited time offer. We are also happy to offer author signed copies to any order placed through our website. Additional information about the book, and the preorder offer, can be found at www.blackforestclocks.org/book.

Best,

Justin J.  Miller

The original catalogs, drawings, photographs, and other paper items are very difficult to locate today … because in the early years their value was not recognized, combined with their fragile nature … many of these items have been lost or destroyed. The few items that have been located are generally held very close by their owners and are not circulated.

Over the past several decades we have set out to locate this information, and have assembled a comprehensive library of the original literature that documents the clocks that are of the most interest to collectors today.

After much thought we decided to include much of this information into our new book, Rare and Unusual Black Forest Clocks. By publishing dozens of these original catalogs, price sheets, sample drawings, lithographs, paintings, calling cards, and other similar items… we think that the whole Black Forest community will gain a better understanding and appreciation for these wonderful clocks. We are also always looking for additional pieces of original literature to add to our archives. If you have a paper item that relates to the Black Forest clockmaking industry please contact us.

The photo above is an example of one of the many original design drawings that we have in our archives (and many of them can be seen in our new book). The above drawing was done by hand by Lorenz Beha in the late 19th century. Not only is it a great representation of an actual clock that was produced and can be found today, but it provides a look at the pride the Beha’s took into designing their clocks… and the romantic spirit of the whole cottage industry.

Our book is now available for pre order through our website at www.blackforestclocks.org/book

Best,

Justin J. Miller

Now that 2011 is behind us, we are looking forward to 2012 with great excitement. The start of the new year brings so many possibilities, and the continued hunt for rare Black Forest clocks awaits us. As we move forward into the new year, and the upcoming release of our new book Rare and Unusual Black Forest Clocks in just a few short months, we want to take a moment to reflect on 2011.

2011 was great in many ways, but it was unquestionably one of the best years for new acquisitions to our permanent collection that we have ever had. We have many to thank for helping us in this continued endeavor to track down these rarities.  While we purcahsed many clocks this year, we wanted to share the 12 best finds for 2011 in a quick photo gallery. All of these clocks are now apart of our growing collection, and additional details about each one of them can be accessed through our website.

As always, we are constantly looking for additional clocks for our collection. If you have a Black Forest clock that you think we may be interested in please contact us through out website. We also want to remind you that we pay finders fees for any lead that ends in an acquisition… so if you know where a great clock is please contact us.

Best,

Justin J. Miller

This Rare Beha shelf clock with eye automation (augenwender) was made C. 1860. It was found in California, and added to our collection in 2011.

This rare Black Forest shield automata known as a “butcher clock” or “Metzger-uhr” was made C. 1840. It was found in Europe and added to the collection in 2011.

This heavily carved shelf cuckoo was made by Johann George Beha C. 1870. It was found in California and added to our collection in 2011.

This rare and unusual Sorg clock “Sorguhr” was made in 1837. It was found in Washington and added to our collection in 2011.

This rare Black Forest apostle clock was made by Gordian Hettich Sohn (GHS) C. 1890-1900. It was found in New York in 2011.

This early Black Forest picture clock with eye automation (Augenwender) was made in the late 1850′s to 1860. It was found in the Canary Islands in 2011.

This rare Emilian Wehrle Rooster clock was made C. 1885. It was found in Ohio in 2011.

This rare Black Forest shiled automata known as a “Glockenschläger-Uhr” was made c. 1820-1830. It was found in Utah in 2011.

This Rare and previously published Black Forest soldier clock was made C. 1890. It was found in California in 2011.

This very rare and early Black Forest cuckoo clock has a full wooden wheel movement and a paper shield. It was made C. 1780. It was found in Italy in 2011.

This rare Black Forest owl clock was made C.  1890. It was found in Ohio in 2011.

This magnificent Beha cuckoo clock with Angelus strike and monk automata  was made C. 1870. It was located in California in 2011.

Its hard to put into words how fantastic this clock is… so we will let the photos and video do most the explaining.

We have an additional video giving an overview on how these Wehrle rooster clocks work, so check out our “you tube” video channel and get a closer look (it can be accessed from the home page of our website).

The rooster on this model is exposed and perched on the roof of the case, a very desirable variation to an already very desirable clock.

The condition on this piece speaks for itself, it had been quietly resting on the mantle in a home in the USA for the past 50 years until it was recently discovered.

We are always looking to add additional rooster clocks (of all types and condition) to our collection. If you have a similar clock, or know where one is we would love to hear from you. If you don’t own the clock, but know where one is… finders fees are happily paid if you can make a deal happen.

Best,

Justin J. Miller