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Witt with part of the clock and watch collection offered on October 18

Col. Brent Witt, Rebel Yell Auctioneer, has one of those auctions coming up that is a time collector's dream. "A beautiful old clock or watch in the future -- the moment awaits on Saturday, October 18 at 10 a.m. at the Rebel Yell Auction House," said Witt, who likes to insert time references when he speaks of the collection. Colonel is a title given to auctioneers after they finish auctioneer's school. Witt is especially excited about such a large collection of clocks and watches -- something he says doesn't happen often in the business.

The auction features the "lifetime" antique clock and pocket watch collection of the late Larry G. Loope, who lived and spent time around Buchanan and Natural Bridge. Loope was known around both areas as an avid collector with a fantastic time collection, said Witt. "They came from around here and everywhere," said Witt.

"Antique Week has shown great interest in these clocks and watches," said Witt in the Rebel Yell Auction House that was once Troutville High School on Route 11, Lee Highway, in the Town of Troutville. The old gym and stage are the scene of the auction. "People can come as early as 8 a.m. to preview the collection," said Witt.

The collection includes 125 antique mantel, kitchen and table clocks. They are simply amazing. The clocks are made by famous old clock makers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Just looking at them makes one long to hear the room chime on the hour. Some of the famous makers include W. Phillipson, Waterbury, Jerome and Darrow -- the list goes on for each of the clocks. The oldest clock is a 1837 scroll and pillar clock. Others are Art Nouveau, Greek Revival, Victorian and Americana.

Most of the clocks in the 19th century were wind-ups with clock keys. In the days before electricity, time measurement came with gears and weights and keys to wind the hours away. The glass door faces of many of the mantel clocks have intricate gold etched designs. One has Father Time carrying his scythe on the left and a little boy sitting on the right.

The FDR clock called "FDR: The Man Of The Hour" shows an animated dial, circa 1933. FDR, then the newly elected president, stands at the helm, and moves his arm and the wheel at every tick. The case is metal with the original bronze finish, and is 15 inches tall. The inner works include a 30-hour lever escapement with a key wind spring driven clock works. The maker on the dial is marked, "United Electric Clock Corp, Brooklyn, NY." Literally, it was made to show the president steering the United States out of "bad times" during the Great Depression. While it may not be one of the prize clocks in the collection, it certainly is "timely" for current economic and political conditions!

The 74 pocket watches range from military to gold pocket watches to just about every type of metal and case. Some are railroad and even a race horse watch. They come from makers such as Elgin, Waltham, South Bend, American Watch and many more. The cases and faces make each unique. It isn't hard to imagine a banker or conductor reaching into a vest pocket to check banker's hours or that the train is on time!

Visit our Flickr gallery here for some of the clocks the Botetourt View found especially beautiful.