New Books

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.): A Concise Guide to the Clockmakers of Northallerton and their Clocks
NEW. 339 pages, 42 plates, 10 figs., 2008. A limited edition of 400 numbered copies. A detailed and well researched book about the clocks and clockmakers of this North Yorkshire market town. The earliest clockmaker in the town was Mann Beckett who married there on Saint Valentine's Day 1719/20. The author's previous book on Northallerton makers is now hard to find and expensive; buy this one before it goes out of print. Card covers. (Ref: N1874)  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.

* Was £16.00, now on special offer at £8.00 *

(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.): Clockmakers & Watchmakers of Stow on the Wold
NEW. 184 pages, 95 illustrations, 2024. A well researched new book, by Barnaby Smith, who has collected information about the Stow (Gloucestershire) clockmakers (especially the Archer family) for well over 30 years. Walter Archer was working in Stow by 1699 and his descendants continued in Stow until 1824. Other Stow makers worked from 1719 up to about 1939, the practitioners from the mid 19th century onwards being retailers/repairers not 'makers'. The book includes an appendix with details of (6 miles away) Moreton in Marsh clockmakers from the 1690's to the early 20th century. (Ref: N5238)  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.

* Was £15.00, now on special offer at £10.00 *

(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.

Smith (S.) & Son Limited: Motor Accessories Catalogue 1910
NEW. 134 pages, illus., reprinted 2006. An interesting catalogue from the early years of the motorcar. The book includes Smiths clocks and watches for the motorist as well as all conceivable kinds of accessory - a folding ladder for use when putting luggage on the roof, a tyre inflator using a carbon dioxide cylinder, a motorcar turntable (I am not making these up!) and many more. Card covers. (Ref: N1326)  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.

Stanier (M.): Oxford Sundials
NEW. 40 pages, 24 colour plates, 2nd edition, 2003. Descriptions of many of the sundials in Oxford, with a location map. Many of the dials are located in the Colleges. Card covers. (Ref: N1807)  in stock.

Stimson (A.N.) & Daniel (C.StJ.H.): The Cross Staff - Historical Development and Modern Use
NEW. 26 pages, 7 figs, 1977. A useful history of the cross staff, reprinting instructions for its use first written by Andrew Wakeley circa 1650. The modern use of the instrument, using a replica staff, on the 1974 Golden Hinde voyage from Plymouth to San Francisco is also documented. Card covers, staples now rusted. (Ref: N1324)  in stock.

Thompson (D.): The British Museum Clocks
NEW. 176 pages, 66 clocks illustrated in colour, reprinted 2017. This book describes and illustrates the rarest and most interesting clocks in the outstanding collection at the British Museum. Each item has several illustrations of the case and the clock movement. Tompion's year-going table clock, John Naylor's astronomical clock, Mudge's first marine timekeeper, Henry Jenkins' astronomical clock and an organ clock by George Lindsay are all included here. With dust jacket (note: this reprint has a different dust jacket to the original but the book contents are the same). (Ref: N706)  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.

Thorpe (N.M.): The French Marble Clock
NEW. 277 pages, lots of b&w illustrations, the 2013 reprint of a book first published in 1990. This is the standard work on marble clocks. Most such clocks are French, but English, American and German examples are often found. The book describes the history of the marble clock and what to look for when buying. Other chapters cover the restoration of the French movements, repair and polishing of the marble and slate cases, and the origin and types of marble commonly found. There is a useful appendix on makers and their marks which is helpful for identification purposes. With dust jacket. (Ref: N508)  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 Hertfordshire
NEW. 40 pages, 1997. A simple alphabetical list of makers with a listing by town and village. The only such listing for this county. Soft covers. (Ref: N306)  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.