Henry Edward Bedford (1860–1932) was an American painter and sculptor who designed the four-faced clock on top of the information booth located in Grand Central Terminal in New York City.[1][2] As a painter, Henry E. Bedford was best known for his studies of the Maine coast. The American Art Annual reported Bedford's sudden demise on October 29, 1932, on the train ride from Maine to Brooklyn. The death notice stated that "… he was especially fond of reproducing the scenery of Maine, and his landscapes and marines won him much praise from critics…" Henry E. Bedford is listed in key art reference publications such as Who Was Who in American Art[3] and was a member of the Salmagundi Club.[4] He also can be found online on Askart.com and Artprice.com.
The Bedford family had a long history in the clock and watch industry. Alfred Bedford, Henry's father, was a "member of the original Tiffany and Company and the London representative of the Waltham Watch Company." Henry E. Bedford, along with his uncle, Edward T. Bedford, and his brother, Alfred C. Bedford, were executives of the Self Winding Clock Company. Henry E. Bedford reportedly retired from the company in the mid-1920s. His obituary in the American Art Annual stated that Henry Bedford designed "several other large clocks" in addition to the famous one in Grand Central Terminal.[5] His death announcement in The New York Times, notes "he designed the clock in the Grand Central Station and several other large clocks here [New Haven, CT] and in other cities."[6]
References
edit- ^ Wood, Christopher (2008). Victorian Painters: The text. Antique Collectors' Club.
- ^ Katlan, Alexander W.; Salmagundi Club (2008). Salmagundi Club painting exhibitions records 1889 to 1939: a guide to the annual exhibition of oil paintings and the annual exhibition and auction sale of pictures. Alexander W. Katlan & Salmagundi Club NYC. ISBN 9780979129018.
- ^ Falk, P. H. (1999). Who Was Who in American Art.
- ^ "H.E. BEDFORD DEAD; ONCE CLOCK DESIGNER; Retired Eight Years Ago After Long Association With Brooklyn Company -- Amateur Artist. (Published 1932)". The New York Times. October 30, 1932. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ "additional obituary for Henry Edward Bedford Sr". American Art Annual. 29. 1932.
- ^ "H.E. BEDFORD DEAD; ONCE CLOCK DESIGNER; Retired Eight Years Ago After Long Association With Brooklyn Company -- Amateur Artist. (Published 1932)". The New York Times. October 30, 1932. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 9, 2021.