About the Seth Thomas “Drop Octagon, 10 Inch” Clock
Title: Seth Thomas “Drop Octagon, 10 Inch” Clock Model: A Collector’s Guide
The Seth Thomas “Drop Octagon, 10 Inch” clock is a captivating mantel clock model from the esteemed American clockmaker. This timepiece, with its compact size and elegant design, makes it an excellent addition to any antique collection.
Typical case materials for this model include walnut, cherry, or mahogany, contributing to its rich aesthetic appeal. The “Drop Octagon” design is characterized by a square base that gracefully tapers into an octagonal face, giving the clock a unique and sophisticated appearance.
Produced between 1870 and 1925, this model represents the Victorian era’s exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. The “Drop Octagon, 10 Inch” clock is highly collectible due to its timeless design, superior quality, and association with the renowned Seth Thomas Clock Company.
Notable features of this model include a finely-crafted brass movement, enamel dial, and Roman numerals for hour markers. The pendulum bob is often decorated with a silvered and gilt finish, further enhancing the clock’s visual appeal. The 10-inch size makes it ideal for display on a mantel or shelf, adding a touch of vintage charm to any room.
The Seth Thomas “Drop Octagon, 10 Inch” clock is not only an attractive timekeeper but also a testament to American craftsmanship during the Victorian era. Its collectibility stems from its exceptional quality, distinctive design, and association with one of the most respected names in antique clocks—the Seth Thomas Clock Company.
Auction Records and Price History
The following 20 auction record(s) show actual sale prices for the Seth Thomas “Drop Octagon, 10 Inch” model clock. Prices vary based on condition, originality, and current market demand. Search for more records on AntiqueClocksPriceGuide.com.

Seth Thomas 10-Inch Drop Octagonal Gilt Regulator Clock,
8 day time and strike brass movement with 10″ diameter painted tin dial with Roman numerals, marked Seth Thomas, mahogany octagonal case with drop and gilt banding, in original finish; door in drop with gilt surround and black ground; interior printed paper label with Thomaston, Conn. address; 14.25″ wide x 5″ deep x 21.25″ high. See Tran Duy Ly 1996; fig. 506.From the Estate of John Auraden of Hamilton & Fairhaven, Ohio.VG+. We do not guarantee working order of clocks and watches.
Sold: $250 (3 Bids) | Date: Oct 21st, 2004 | Source: Cowan’s Auctions

Seth Thomas Clock Co. short drop or schoolhouse clock, identified in the catalogs as, “10 Inch Drop Octagon”, ca 1924.
It is 8 day, time only, pendulum movement No.41B. It is signed by ST and running. 10 inch dial, new paper on the old pan. Old paper label inside. The 21 1/2 inch case is now a dark, old oak. Good looking, not refinished. Ly-Seth Thomas No.520.
Sold: $238 | Date: 1/1/2003 | Source: Horton’s Antique Clocks

C.1924, Seth Thomas Clock Co., “Drop Octagon 10 Inch”, 8-day wall timepiece (mixed lot).
Condition: Refinished oak in very nice clean condition. Original painted dial is clean with a little wear to some of the numbers and the chapter ring. Hands are original. Movement is not original to the case, even though it was made by Seth Thomas in 1941, and it lines up with the dial OK. ST pendulum, but there is no suspension wire. Height 21.5 inches [54.61 cm]
Sold: $110 | Date: 4/22/2007 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts

Seth Thomas Oak 10″ Short Drop School Clock. Circa 1920’S.
Painted Arabic Dial. Visible Brass Pendulum Bob In Lower Glass. 8 Day Movement Is A Time Only. Height 22″ X Width 15″
Date: February 23, 2005 | Source: Clocksmith

Seth Thomas “10 Inch Drop Octagon”, ca 1924.
The case is polished mahogany and 21 1/2 inches high There is a nice gold stripe around the bezel and lower door Movement is 8 day and strikes a wire gong Recently serviced and is running Good label inside the case, correct pendulum bob The old dial has a little flaking and wear The only negative comment I can make is that the glass, possibly replaced, is loose in the bezel Ly-Seth ThomasNo.520
Sold: $288 | Date: January, 2002 | Source: Horton’s Antique Clocks

Seth Thomas wall “10 inches drop octagon gilt”, ca 1909.
21.5 inches high case, original finish mahogany veneer with gilt lines, full label inside back is in great condition. All parts of this clock are old and original. Good old Seth Thomas 10 inches dial, chapter ring light at six around to ten. Time only 8-day movement running. Ly-Seth Thomas No. 505.
Sold: $227 | Date: January, 2005 | Source: Horton’s Antique Clocks

Seth Thomas, “10 Inch Drop Octagon”, ca 1912.
The number “12” is stamped on the back of the case, I say it was made 1912. This clock was made in several styles and sizes, this one in old oak, polished, in near perfect original condition, standing 22.5 inches high. 10 inches painted metal dial still with original paint. Compared to other Seth Thomas dials this old, I will call it near perfect. Has an original set of hands, old pendulum, and brass bezel, knob, etc. are all excellent. The movement is 8 day, time only, and runs up a storm. Since there is no strike you can put it in the guest bedroom. If you only have a few clocks this should be your next purchase because it is near perfect and dependable. Ly-Seth Thomas No. 506.
Sold: $258 | Date: January, 2005 | Source: Horton’s Antique Clocks

Seth Thomas “Drop Octagon, 10 Inch”, C. 1914.
Crusty, original walnut case, 21.5″, gold stripe around octagon bezel and lower door. Gold is still good. The case is not bad enough to refinish or remove the crazing. A light cleaning with one of the many cleaners available would be all I would do. The factory production date is on the back. 8 day, time only, large movement. Very nice label inside the case. It has a new dial pan and dial, otherwise original, and running. Ly-Seth Thomas #520.
Sold: $0 unsold | Date: July, 2004 | Source: Horton’s Antique Clocks

Seth Thomas “Drop Octagon, 10 Inch”, C. 1924.
Another beautiful case, this one old oak, 21.5″ high and refinished to perfection. This gentleman has been collecting clocks for 40 years and no doubt had these near perfect cases a long time. I don’t see them around the clock regionals, auctions, or anywhere except in the collections of the oldtimers. 8 day movement is time only, clean, and running strong. Polished pendulum bob, bezel and rings. New paper label on the back, good old glasses, original dial with some black marks make by sweaty fingers turning the hands. Ly-Seth Thomas #520.
Sold: $325 | Date: July, 2004 | Source: Horton’s Antique Clocks

Seth Thomas “10 inch Drop octagon”, we usually call them “school house” or “short drop” clocks.
This one was probably made in the 1920’s of mahogany veneer. The veneer has been cleaned, not refinished, and some small patches or stain has been used where the veneer had been bumped or chipped, nothing real serious. The 2 piece zinc dial has been professionally repainted and that also is typical of Seth dials. There is a good full label, correct pendulum and hands, 8 day pendulum movement that strikes a coil gong on the hours, running really well. Not a perfect clock by any stretch, but it is not a bad example of the 10 Inch drop. Ly-Seth Thomas #520.
Sold: $218 | Date: June, 2004 | Source: Horton’s Antique Clocks

Seth Thomas “10 Inch Drop Octagon Gilt”, ca 1898, and so stamped on the back of the case.
Made of mahogany veneer, polished and with gilt lines around top and base, now hardly visible at all. You can see an outline where gilt used to be but years of handling and cleaning has obliterated most. Case is 21.5 inches high, very clean and still polished, top glass replaced, bottom original, full label, original pendulum, dial, and hands. Factory stamp on the back indicates the clock was made Jan. 1898. You will note the name printed on the dial, “T.W. Potter, Kensington”, which I suppose is England. All black on the dial has been highlighted; I would bet was done by Mr. Potter. 8 day timepiece, running well. Ly-Seth Thomas #506.
Sold: $265 | Date: June, 2004 | Source: Horton’s Antique Clocks

Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Drop Octagon 10” 8 day time and strike mahogany wall clock, dated 1893
old original surface with gilt lines, very good original painted metal dial and reverse paint door glass, complete inside label. Bell-strike movement should be cleaned. Date code on back indicates clock made in April, 1893. 22″ high.
Sold: $150 | Date: May 15, 2011 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts

C.1924, Seth Thomas Clock Co., “Drop Octagon,10 Inch”, 8-day oak cased timepiece.
Condition: the oak case has been stripped and varnished. Dial, hands, movement, and pendulum are original. The bezel has been re-soldered at the hinge, and the glass tabs re-soldered as well; glass fits OK, but is a bit small for the bezel. Good signature remains on dial. For additional details, see Tran Ly’s Seth Thomas book, Edition 3 (2004) page 356, fig 1157. Ly current price guide in original condition is $425. Height 21.5 inches
Sold: $200 | Date: May 6th, 2006 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts

C.1909, Seth Thomas Clock Co., 10 Inch Drop Octagon schoolhouse clock.
Condition: Refinished oak case in very clean condition. Original painted dial is very good with a little smudging of some of the numbers. Hands are original. Door glass is original. Good label inside case, has water stain, but fully legible. Height 21.5 inches
Sold: $290 | Date: May 7, 2005 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts

Seth Thomas Clock Co., “DROP OCTAGON 10 INCH”, oak cased, short drop school clock, time only. C.1906.
the veneered case retains original finish in very good condition, except for a couple of chips on the door. The original painted dial is very good; only a minor chip in the center. Hands and tablet are original. Partial label inside case, along with repair label from Gibbons, Philadelphia, another repair label on rear of case. Height 21.5 inches
Sold: $213 | Date: November 6, 2009 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts

Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Drop Octagon 10 Inch”, 8 day, time and strike, spring brass movement wall clock.
Mahogany veneered case in original finish has original gilt lines intact. Original painted dial has some stains and wear to the numbers. Original hands, pendulum and tablet. Nice label inside the case. The English retailer: “A. Werhle, Cambridge & Newmarket” is listed as working from 1892- 1900.
Sold: $100 | Date: October 22, 2016 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts

Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Drop Octagon 10 Inch”, 8 day, time and strike schoolhouse wall clock, c1900
Mahogany veneered case in original finish with gilt borders. Original painted dial looks to have light corrosion on the outer edge with heavier damage at five o’clock. Hands are original. Dark label inside the case. Repair to the knob area on the back of the door. Ht 21 1/2″
Sold: $80 | Date: October 26, 2013 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts

C.1885, Seth Thomas Clock Co., ÒDrop Octagon 10Ó in mahogany, time only, 8-day.
Condition: this clock is in good original condition, a couple of paint drops on the top edge of the octagon from overhead painting. Interior instruction label is intact with minor losses. The octagon has separated around 2. Original dial is very good considering it is a Seth Thomas. Height 22 inches
Sold: $225 | Date: October 31, 2004 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts

C.1921 Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Drop Octagon 10”, 8-day schoolhouse timepiece, short drop.
Condition: Oak and oak veneered case in good condition with an original crusty finish. Flaked areas on the original dial have been over-painted and the numbers restored. Hands are original. Tablet in bottom door is original. Overall good+ condition, running. Ht 21.5″ [54.6 cm]
Sold: $175 | Date: October, 22 2006 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts

C.1924, Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Drop octagon 10 Inch” , 8-day time and strike wall clock.
Condition: Oak case in nice condition with original finish. Original painted dial has darkened with age and has some wear around the winding holes, and is slightly bent. Hands are original. Pendulum is a replacement; suspension wire needs changing. Label is absent from inside case back. Ht 22″ [55.8 cm]
Sold: $240 | Date: October, 22 2006 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts










![C.1909, Seth Thomas clock Co., "Gallery-24" Dial", in oak, fifteen day timepiece with large model 86 movement, with a pendulum length [from center shaft to rating nut] of 12.5", with No. 22 bob, 3 11/16" diameter, and iron bracket.](https://antiqueclockspriceguide.com/images/robertoschmitt15/084.jpg)














