Lot 313: Two Craven 'A' Electric Advertising Clocks
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Two mid-20th century electric advertising wall clocks for Craven ‘A’ cigarettes, both featuring Smiths Sectric movements. The first is a reverse painted mirror advertising sign of rectangular form with a silvered ground and a red bordered shield-shaped dial. The dial features black Arabic numerals and central red hands, with the brand slogan For your throat’s sake - smoke CRAVEN ‘A’ appearing below. The dial centre is marked SMITH SECTRIC. The reverse movement housing is marked SMITHS ENGLISH CLOCKS, SEC, 200/250V and 50~, mounted to a metal bracket. The second clock is an Art Deco style electric advertising sign constructed from silver-painted molded plastic. It features raised red lettering reading CRAVEN ‘A’ to the top and NEVER VARY to the base. The square dial has raised red numerals and red hands, with the centre marked SMITH SECTRIC. The reverse movement is marked SMITHS ENGLISH CLOCKS, SEC, 200/250V and 50~.
Reverse painted mirror: 13 1/2 inches by 10 1/4 inches.
Silvered plastic clock: 14 1/2 inches by 12 inches.
Condition report:
The reverse painted mirror clock shows the paint surface behind the glass heavily flaking and lifting, particularly around the central dial area (photo 6). The metal mounting bracket on the reverse shows surface rust (photo 7) and the original wiring is damaged and cut. The silvered plastic clock is in generally good cosmetic condition with minor surface dirt and light scuffs to the finish (photo 2). The metal hanging bracket on the reverse shows surface oxidation (photo 3). Both movements are sold as untested and require professional electrical safety checks.
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