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John Askew, Clock & Watch Collector (1890-1945)
Image: Cuckoo Clock
Source: Museum Victoria
Starting in 1920, John Askew, partner in the established Melbourne architectural and civil engineering firm of Twentyman and Askew, began loaning his clocks to the Industrial and Technological Museum, a forerunner of Museum Victoria.
Prompted by an increased interest in science and technology during World War I, the museum was actively renewing its exhibitions. By 1928 Askew had about 80 clocks on long-term loan to the museum, with the intention that at some stage he would donate them to the museum. Clearly this arrangement was of great advantage to the museum, as it provided a whole new area of display with minimal expense.
The loan arrangement equally gave the lender considerable influence over the museum. In 1930 Askew wrote to the trustees, noting that only half of his collection of 120 clocks was currently on display, the rest being in storage. He reported that he had been approached by an ‘Interstate Museum’ to borrow his supplementary collection, and that the unnamed museum was willing to provide extensive space for a new collection developed by Askew: ‘I now respectfully beg to enquire whether there is any possibility of my collection being allotted a similar space in your Museum, as my feelings are that I do not want to start another collection for an Interstate Museum necessitating further duplications while there is a possibility of concentrating on one, at the same time I do not feel inclined to keep on adding to a collection which is only being exhibited in part.’ The gentle threat had its desired effect, and the trustees assured Askew that space would be made available for the entire collection and for any additions.
Throughout the 1930s Askew continued to loan items, and finally donated the collection in 1941. John Askew died in 1945, and in his will left an annual bequest to the museum, which continues to fund the acquisition of clocks and watches for the collection.
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Alarm Clock - Ansonia Clock Co, 1880s
Alarm clock, 'Peep O Day' carriage clock, Ansonia Clock Co, 1880s. Founded in 1850, Ansonia manufactured their mass-produced and inexpensive clocks in both Ansonia, Connecticut and Br ...
From: Ansonia, United States Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Impulse Clock - James Searle, Melbourne, 1931
Electric impulse clock, made by James Searle, Melbourne, 1931. Commissioned by Melbourne clock collector John Askew to demonstrate the use of the Hipp principle in timekeeping. Mathias ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
Alarm Clock - Ansonia Clock Co, 'Bee', USA, circa 1900
Alarm clock, Ansonia 'Bee', Ansonia Clock Co, USA, circa 1900. A very early form of this type of simple, mass produced alarm clock.
From: New York, United States Images: 1 -
Alarm Clock - Dice Throwers, Junghans, Germany
Alarm clock with mechanised dice throwers on dial, made by Junghans, Wurtemberg, Germany.
Images: 5 -
Alarm Clock - Electric, Smiths English Clocks, 1934
Alarm clock, electric, bakelite case, Smiths English Clocks Ltd, 1934.
From: Cricklewood, United Kingdom Images: 1 -
Automaton Clock - Germany
Automaton clock with trumpeter and trumpet call, walnut case, Germany.
Images: 2 -
Cuckoo Clock - Woman's Portrait, Germany
Cuckoo clock, in form of a framed picture of a woman, made in Germany.
Images: 1 -
Digital Clock - 'Plato Clock', England, circa 1910
Digital clock, 'Plato Clock', England, circa 1910. Cylindrical glass case with brass base and lid. Mechanism in base causes two sets of cards to flick over at the appropriate intervals ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 4 -
Dog Clock - Germany, circa 1930
Dog clock, in which rotating eyes with a white mark in the pupil tell the time. Made in Germany, circa 1930.
Images: 1
