Frederick Duckloe & Bros Official Blog: December 2011

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Gregg Perry, Invited Guest at Historic Hancock House in Salem County, N.J.

On December 21^st Perry was an invited guest of Hancock House conservator Alicea M. Bjornson to examine horological and wooden artifacts. Perry provided verbal expertise to stabilize the objects in question and suggestions for future display options and security.

The Hancock House is an excellent example of English Quaker patterned end brick houses associated with the lower Delaware Valley and southwestern New Jersey. On March 12st, 1778, it was the scene of a British led massacre during the Revolutionary War. The house is the birthplace of 19^th century social reformer Cornelia Hancock.

1734 Hancock House

It was in the quiet early morning of March 21^st, 1778 when British forces under Major Simcoe made their way up the Alloways creek. Coming ashore south of the village at Hancock’s Bridge, the British troops were focused on their destination, the house and tavern of Judge William Hancock Jr.

Here a small band of local militia was garrisoned for the purpose of protecting John Hancock’s Bridge, one of the three bridges which crossed the Alloways Creek. The British had been repulsed by the local militia just three days before at Quinton’s bridge.

When Simcoe’s troops took the sleeping militia by surprise, the quiet countryside was pierced by the cries of men as they were bludgeoned and bayoneted.

The Queen’s Rangers and local Torres followed orders to:

“Spare No One”

The dawn brought with it the reality of what had occurred in the early morning hours. Judge Hancock was found mortally wounded in his house. The british met their objective and the result was Salem County’s Revolutionary War Massacre.

Gregg Perry's Cuban Conservation Trip

On December 4^th Gregg Perry embarked on a monumental research excursion in Cuba lasting until the 12th. Traveling with 35 other members of the “American Institute for Conservation (A.I.C.)”, the trips objective was to analyize the state of conservation and restoration in the areas of decorative arts, fine arts and architecture. Perry was the resident expert in wood, its surface finishes and horology for the trip.Perry and his colleges are professional members in good standing with the A.I.C.. They engaged in a full time schedule of professional non-commercial, academic research in 3 Cuban cities in the field of conservation and historic preservation. Their research consisted of meetings with non-governmental members of conservation institutions, trade and cultural organizations and individual non affiliated professionals in the field, as well as other travel related activities. The research that the group compiled will have a high likelihood of dissemination through the A.I.C. organization and also each participant’s individual practices. This trip was authorized under the general license granted to qualified professionals based in the United States by government regulations.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Gregg Perry Clocks

Beginning October 8th of this year, Frederick Duckloe & Brothers and world renowned horologist Gregg Perry will team up to open a specialized shop offering perhaps the largest collection of 17th through 19th century museum quality case, mantle and wall clocks on the east coast.

Mr. Perry recently returned from a two week Horological tour of France, The Netherlands, and Great Britian

One of the highlights of the exhibit would be an 18th century Emery tall case clock. Manufactured in New York, the clock features a musical movement and is one of only two made, it's sister currently resides in the White House.

More detailed information can be found on our website at http://duckloe.com/clock_shop.asp.

Below are some pictures of the clocks in the Golden Eagle Showroom