Allan Sullivan Collection

Collection

Identifier: MG-022

Staff Only

This collection includes detailed repair records, primarily dealing with clocks. Allan Sullivan maintained repair records from the late 1940s through 1980. Each timepiece that Sullivan worked on has a unique entry in this collection, most of which include photographs of the piece in question. These records include descriptions of each timepiece, plus detailed descriptions of the operational state of each piece throughout the repairs. Additionally, Sullivan kept notes for each item for any subsequent repairs.

Sullivan numbered and categorized each timepiece he worked on, organizing them into four different, mutually exclusive groups. These groups are as follows:

"C-Series" -- Clocks "S-Series" -- Sullivan's personal clock collection "M-Series" -- Music Boxes "Watches"

Of these categoris, C-Series contains the most entries, numbering over 700 clock repair records.

The table of contents, located in Series I, contain sumaries of each timepiece included in this collection of repair records. These documents were created at a much later date than the rest of the collection, most likely by those who have previously worked at the NAWCC Library and Research Center. There is an index that was created by Sullivan, which can also be found in Series I. This index lists the timepieces chronologically with the original owners of the pieces listed. Interestingly, the S-Series and the Watch Series include the original costs of the timepieces as well as their estimated values as of circa the 1970s.

Dates

1948 - 1980
Majority of material found within 1948-1974

Creator

Sullivan, Allan P., Sr. (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Use

These records are open to researchers for personal or scholarly research. Most of the records in the collection are available for photocopy, depending on the preservation needs of the material as well as other variables not specified here. Researchers, however, are responsible for obtaining copyright permission to use materials and documents. These records are part of the permanent collection in the archives of the Library & Research Center of the National Watch and Clock Museum and researchers are required to comply with the Archive Rules when using the collection.

Extent

4 Linear Feet (7 boxes)

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into five series based on the original organization and order of the documents.

Series I: Table of Contents
Series II: Clocks -- C Series: Serviced for Other Owners
Series III: Clocks -- S Series: Owned by Allan P. Sullivan Sr.
Series IV: Music Boxes -- M Series
Series V: Watches

The first series contains information about the repair records. This includes a table of contents that had been put together at an unknown date (possibly circa 2000) to describe the information and types of timepieces covered in the rest of the collection. Additionally, Series I contains an original index of the repair records that Sullivan used to keep track of these records and timepieces.

The later series are comprised of the actual repair records that Sullivan recorded. Series II contains "C-Series" records, or clocks that Sullivan repaired. Series III contains "S-Series" records, or timepieces owned by Sullivan. Series IV contains "M-Series" records, or Music boxes that Sullivan repaired. Series V contains "Watches Series" records.

Creator

Allan P. Sullivan

Processing Information

This collection was partially described before May 2016. During the Autumn of 2016, the collection was revisited and the archival description was expanded. It is believed that the collection as found in May 2016 accurately reflects the original order of the documents.