New Books

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.

[Smiths] compiled by Smith (B.): Smiths Watches
NEW. 277 pages, illustrated, 2009. A history of watch production by the Smiths group of companies with details of the pocket and wristwatches produced at the factories in Cheltenham and Ystradgynlais (Wales). The wide range of watches produced between 1947 and 1974 is shown in the 16 surviving catalogues reprinted here. Card covers. (Ref: N2146)  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.

[Stockall Marples]: S.M. & Co., Ltd: Price List of Turret Clocks
NEW. [36 pages], illustrated, 2009. A reprint, with introduction by Chris McKay, of a Stockall Marples & Company Ltd, London catalogue dating from circa 1905. Stockall Marples was a wholesaler of clocks and related goods, the catalogue includes electric and mechanical turret clocks as well as large wall clocks for mounting over shops, etc. Card covers. (Ref: N2147)  in stock.

Tennant (M.F.): The Art of the Painted Clock Dial
NEW. 351 pages, 730 illustrations (517 in colour), 2009. An important book by Britain's best known dial restorer who has documented the rise of the painted dial on longcase clocks from its origins in 1772 to its demise 100 years later. The major dial makers in Birmingham and their artistic styles are all included as well as the makers in the smaller centres of Manchester, Halifax and Scotland. This is a comprehensive study of the subject and is a major contribution to our knowledge of dials and dial makers. With dust jacket. (Ref: N2148)  in stock.

Thomas (S.) & Thomas (D.): The Turret Clocks of T. Cooke & Sons of York - a historical perspective 1807 - 1897
NEW. 583 pages, illustrated, only 250 copies printed, 2016. An excellent biographical account of Thomas Cooke and the business he founded up until it became a limited company in 1897. The business is well known for its clocks, telescopes and other scientific instruments, but also owned a small shipyard! This book focuses on turret clocks, with some information on clocks for the Post Office and a few regulators. Also included is an important chapter on turret clockmaker Barnard Cooke (Thomas's brother) who worked in Hull. With dust jacket. (Ref: N4101)  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.

Treffry (T.) & Treffry (A.) (editors): BHI 150
NEW. 248 pages, well illustrated, 2010. This excellent book is a record of the 3-day seminar held to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the British Horological Institute in 2008. The first day's papers were about the work of John 'longitude' Harrison, the second about modern watchmaking and the third about perfecting the pendulum. New copy just found in stock room. Soft covers. (Ref: N2421)  in stock.

Tribe (T.) and Whatmoor (P.): Dorset Clocks and Clockmakers
O/P. 234 pages, 38 illus., 1981. An excellent book on the county and also useful for the listing of makers in the Channel Islands (Alderney, Guernsey and Jersey). These are new copies, old stock just released by the author so unused and still in fine condition with fine dust jacket.

* Was £9.50, now on special offer at £4.75 *

(Ref: K3487)  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.