An extensive collection of historic clocks from Hagerstown resident is being auctioned off
Sherry GreenfieldGREENCASTLE, Pa. — An extensive collection of historic clocks is being auctioned to the public.
Hurley Auctions is conducting an online auction that includes a large collection of clocks owned by the late Betty Jones of Hagerstown. Jones, who died this year, was an avid collector of fine antiques, carnival glass and clocks.
The online auction is set to end Dec. 11. Items will be available for inspection from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Hurley Auction’s Legacy Center at 2800 Buchanan Trail East in Greencastle.
Originally from Cumberland, Maryland, Jones lived in Hagerstown for a majority of her life. Her late husband, Jack Jones, started collecting clocks, accruing nearly 1,000 from all over the world. One is a tall case clock signed by local artist George Woltz of Hagerstown, who lived from 1744 to 1812.
Woltz, a well-known clockmaker, artist and cabinetmaker in Hagerstown, created clocks in the late 1700s to the early 1800s.
"It's an honor to auction off a piece of local history as this George Woltz tall case grandfather clock is as it originated in Hagerstown, Maryland, and there are so very few ever heard of being sold," Marge Hartman of Hurley Auctions wrote in an email. "Of the nearly 30 years Hurley Auctions has been in business, this is the first of its kind to come through our doors. It’s truly a rare find."
Woltz was noted as a 2nd major in the Maryland Militia In 1776 and served as a charter member of the Hagerstown Fire Company in 1791.
The Woltz tall case clock Betty Jones purchased over 20 years ago came from a local Hagerstown bank for $7,000.
The auction boasts hundreds of clocks from around the world, including Nicholas Muller cast iron, Ansonia, Gilbert, Seth Thomas, Waterbury, Welch, New Haven, Ingraham, Jerome and more, a news release from the auction house states.
Sherry Greenfield is an education reporter, covering Washington County Public Schools. Follow Sherry on Twitter at Sheina2018 or Instagram at beckmangreenfield.