New Books

Robey (J.): Gothic Clocks to Lantern Clocks - Short Duration Clocks & Rural Clocks 1480 - 1800
NEW. 424 pages, almost 2000 colour illustrations, 2nd edition, 2024. An enlarged and revised edition of an excellent book on a neglected subject, charting the development of early domestic clocks in central Europe, Italy, France and the Low Countries, Sweden and England; and their continuation in rural areas as short duration clocks, some with iron frames, others of brass. The book has a wealth of illustrations showing the mechanical and constructional details of the clocks as well as dials and movements. The appendices include a translation of an Italian treatise on clocks (published in 1665), and details of English lantern clocks with an original balance. (Ref: N5085)  in stock.

Robey (J.) Editor: Your Time - Including the Contribution of Northwest England to the Development of Clocks and Watches
NEW. 136 pages, illustrated in colour, 2008. The catalogue of an exhibition organised by the Northern Section of the Antiquarian Horological Society, with interesting introductions on Chronometers, Watchmaking in Prescot & South Lancashire, Edward Massey's Lever Escapement, Unfinished or Raw Movements, Turret Clocks and the Lancashire Watch Company by Edward Powell, Alan Smith, Alan Treherne and Chris McKay. The interesting text and good illustrations of the 127 exhibits mean that this will be a useful reference book in the years to come. Card covers. (Ref: N1698)  in stock.

Sabrier (J.-C.): Les Horloges Lanternes françaises
NEW. 112 pages, illustrated, 1988. A facsimile edition of the last 3 parts of Horlogeographie Pratique by Père Beuriot (a Benedictine Monk) first published in Rouen in 1719, together with an introduction by Sabrier and photographs of French lantern clocks. Card covers. [French language] (Ref: N3395)  in stock.

[Sainsbury, Henry]: Illustrated Catalogue of Cathedral, Church, Turret & Musical Clocks
NEW. 38 pages, illus., 2005. A facsimile reprint of a trade catalogue from circa 1881 for the little known turret clock maker Henry Sainsbury founded in 1734. The range of products on offer, including clocks, carillons, bells and sundials, is extensive and suggests that the majority of the firms output was retailed and possibly signed by others. The catalogue includes detailed illustrations of the product range together with specifications and prices. Card covers. (Ref: N873)  in stock.

Savoie (D.): Sundials - Design, Construction, and Use
NEW. 181 pages, illustrated, 2009. Originally published in French as Les cadrans solaires this is an excellent book on how to construct equatorial, horizontal, vertical, polar, horizontal analemmatic, and altitude sundials. The book also has a chapter on sundials in the tropics - a subject most books ignore. Card covers. (Ref: N2531)  in stock.

Schaaf (B.): Schwarzwalduhren
NEW. 432 pages, 410 colour illustrations, 4th edition, 2008. This enlarged edition is the most comprehensive work on the history of clockmaking in the Black Forest region of Germany. The book studies clockmaking in the area from 1680 to the late 19th century and has a directory of over 3500 clockmakers names. New in this edition are chapters on Black Forest Clocks in America and clockmaking in the Erzgebirge region. [German language]

* Was £50.00, now on special offer at £30.00 *

(Ref: N2179)  in stock.

Schmid (H.-H.): Lexicon der Deutschen Uhrenindustrie 1850 - 1980
NEW. 2 volumes each of 496 pages, 2nd edition, 2012. This book is the standard reference work on the German industrial watch and clock making industry, now much expanded in a second edition. The first volume is an alphabetical listing of 2360 firms with brand names, trademarks and dates etc. illustrated. The second volume gives more detailed information on 480 of the firms listed in volume 1. Also in volume 2 is an alphabetical list of all companies included, and a detailed bibliography. An essential reference work for German clock and watch enthusiasts. [German language] (Ref: N2701)  in stock.

Schmitt (G.): Die Comtoise-Uhr
NEW. 622 pages, 26 colour and 531 b&w illustrations, one folding plate, 4th edition, circa 2004. This is a very detailed and comprehensive study and has become the standard reference book on the history, design and development of the Comtoise clock. With dust jacket and card slip-case. [German language] (Ref: N1004)  in stock.

Severs (D.F.): Stokesley's Clockmakers - Clockmaking in a North Yorkshire Market Town
NEW. 139 pages, 36 plates, a limited edition of 250 numbered copies, 2008. A well researched book with a detailed account of the 29 clockmakers, and their clocks, who worked in Stokesley between 1740 and 1900. Card covers. (Ref: N1926)  in stock.

Shenton (R.): Christopher Pinchbeck and his Family
NEW. 71 pages, 13 illustrations, 2nd edition, 1976. Christopher Pinchbeck, senior and junior, were both clockmakers but the family is best known for the invention of 'Pinchbeck' alloy and its use in making low cost trinkets. A useful reference book on the family. Still in publisher's card envelope. (Ref: N2920)  in stock.

Shevlin (C.C.): Guilloché - A History & Practical Manual
NEW. 144 pages, 270 illustrations, 2017. Guilloché, the decorative engraving of a metal surface (watch cases for example) is ornamental turning using a rose engine or straight-line engine. There are few modern books on engine turning so this volume, by an American author, is a welcome addition to the literature. With dust jacket. (Ref: N4513)  in stock.

Smith (B.): The Synchronome Company
NEW. 48 pages, 90 illustrations, 2010. A history of the Synchronome Company from its beginnings in the early 20th century up to recent times. The book will be useful to collectors in identifying, dating and setting up their clocks. The illustrations show the company's large product range. Card covers. (Ref: N2270)  in stock.

Smith (E.) & Smith (B.): Restoring Grandfather Clocks
NEW. 235 pages, 147 figures, reprinted 2019. The authors describe how to clean and service clock movements, how to refurbish dials and discuss all aspects of case restoration using an 8-day and a 30-hour longcase clock as examples. This is one of the better books for DIY clock enthusiasts. With dj. (Ref: N511)  in stock.

Somerville (A. R.): The Ancient Sundials of Scotland
NEW. [36 pages], 17 illustrations, plus 104 page catalogue of Scottish sundials, 1994. This interesting book reprints a paper, which originally appeared in a learned journal, detailing the 'Renaissance' sundials in Scotland. The dials date from the 17th and early 18th centuries and are free standing stone sculptures; the list includes examples still in existence as well as those known only from records. The catalogue describes each dial and gives its location. Card covers. (Ref: N1303)  in stock.

Standard Electric Time Co.: Standard Electric Time Systems - Catalogue 33
NEW. 64 pages, illustrated, 1994. This is a reprint of a catalogue issued circa 1914 by The Standard Electric Time Company of Springfield, Massachusetts. The company made electric master and slave clocks systems for public buildings, industry and commerce. Card covers. (Ref: N1805)  in stock.

Thompson (D.): The British Museum Watches
NEW. 175 pages, 270 illustrations, paperback edition, reprinted 2018. A book telling the story of the watch, describing and illustrating 77 watches selected from the magnificent collection of watches held by The British Museum. The earliest example was made circa 1560, the latest in 2007. Each watch is illustrated in colour with excellent photographs of dial, movement and case. Card covers. The book is now out of print, these copies are old stock with minor shelf wear to covers. (Ref: N3681)  in stock.

Turner (A.): John Carte on Horology and Cosmology
NEW. 93 pages, 21 illustrations, 2014. A transcription, with introduction and notes, of a manuscript written by Carte and now in the Bodleian Library. The book includes a biography of Carte and also of Samuel Watson to whom he was apprenticed with a list of all their known works (many of them illustrated). Card covers. (Ref: N3667)  in stock.

Turner (G.L'E.): Elizabethan Instrument Makers
NEW. 305 pages, well illustrated, 2000. The book covers the origins of the London trade in precision instrument making from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I, and describes over 100 surviving Elizabethan instruments including those by Humfrey Cole and Elias Allen. Such instruments were crucial to the professions of navigation, surveying, fortification and gunnery and established London as the centre of precision instrument making for two centuries. With dust jacket. (Ref: N1305)  in stock.

Tyler (E.J.): The Clockmakers of Sussex
NEW. 40 pages, illus., circa 1988. A useful list of clock and watch makers, with lots of biographical information. The only book about this county and now hard to find. Card covers. Old stock discovered at the back of the store room, still in new condition! (Ref: N2872)  in stock.

[Vallée De Joux]: Fermes Horlogères /Watchmakers Farms de la /from Vallée de Joux
NEW. A 63 cm x 47.5 cm folding map of the Joux Valley showing the location of 26 old farmhouses where prior to the 20th century farming was the summer activity and the winters were devoted to watchmaking. [French, German, Italian, English, Spanish and Chinese language] (Ref: N2353)  in stock.