Local photographer Gene Gissin recently lent a hand, and his lens, to help historian G. Russel Oechsle document an expansive clock collection for the newly-released book, “Good for a Time: The Christopher R. Brown Research Archive of Early American Wooden Works Shelf Clocks.” Gissin documented Brown’s collection of 295 clocks, with some dating back to 1817, by taking more than 900 photographs. The 250 first edition prints of the book were published and released earlier this year.
“I photographed each of the clocks’ exteriors, the movements and the any of the original paper labels within the body. We did it all over the course of three days. It was a long and detailed, but interesting process,” Gissin said. “The project called for very specific lighting arrangements and careful handling. We were trying to capture definitive images of faded 100-year-old labels and delicate wooden clock faces.”
The book was published by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, a group dedicated to the collection, preservation and restoration of antique clocks. This was the second time the national organization had commissioned Gissin’s business, Gene Gissin Photography, to assist with documentation of the historic timepieces.
Christopher Brown began collecting clocks as a hobby, along with antique automobiles and trains. As his affinity for wood works clocks grew, so did his collection. It is widely displayed, often as the main attraction at regional exhibits, and within numerous horological books.
Brown became a member of nationwide groups of clock enthusiasts such as Cog Counters, and NWACC. He was named a Fellow of organization in 1992, and is a past president of the Central New York Chapter No. 55.
Oechsle is a Star Fellow of NAWCC as well as the honorary director, and former executive director of the American Clock and Watch Museum in Bristol, CT. He served as editor of “Good for a Time,” having gained knowledge and experience co-authoring “An Empire in Time–Clocks and Clock Makers of Upstate New York” in 2003, and as the current editor of the periodical “Cog Counter’s Journal.” Like Brown, Oechsle is also a past president of CNY Chapter No. 55 of NWACC.
Gissin graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology College of Graphic Arts and Photography and has worked as a professional photographer for the past several decades. After spending time capturing images of war in Vietnam during the 1960s, he has called Cazenovia “home” since 1973. Gissin then purchased the Lehigh Valley Depot at 25 William St. and renovated portions within the historic station to include a modern studio. He began Gene Gissin Photography in 1974.
He offers studio shoots and portraiture as well as event photography at weddings and bar mitzvahs. In addition to taking the photos, Gissin also offers full-service matting and framing; handling commemorative projects from start to finish.
“Sometimes people mistake photography as just a hobby. But this is what I do, it’s my profession. I observe from the outside and immortalize special moments,” Gissin said. “I’m lucky that my hobby and my job are the same.”
Outside of Gene Gissin Photography, Gissin is heavily involved with organizations in and around Cazenovia. He is the current president of the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce and member of American Legion Post 88. Gissin once served as the president of the Professional Photographers Society of Central New York and is the current official photographer for the Cazenovia Fire Department Auxiliary.
The Lehigh Valley Depot and caboose car have been maintained by Gissin, and are kept open to visitors as railroad history museums. For more information on Gene Gissin Photography, and to view samples from Gissin’s portfolio, visit gissinphoto.com or his business’s page on facebook. Gissin can be contacted at 655-2224 or [email protected].
Pierce Smith is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at 434-8889 ext. 338 or [email protected].
