Since the 13th century, a few special public clocks have included the movement of the sun, moon, earth and other planets, and from those early days Jacks were devised as human figures which actually "struck" the hours. Soon thereafter, automata appeared as mechanical figures that performed many and various acts, such as the four knights on horseback who joust on the hour at the Wells Cathedral in England. Over 300 clocks, for buildings or tabletops, which do far more than tell time, are presented here with concise historical explanations, detailed drawings, and clear color photography. 22 chapters examine the amazing mystery, novelty, and fantasy clocks that display magical acts, appear to require no power to drive them, or have no apparent connection between the movement and the hands. Famous makers in England, Germany, France, and Switzerland created these special clocks which became treasures of royalty throughout Europe and Asia, particularly in Chinese courts. Clocks with mysterious, novel, and fantastic features continue to be made up to the present for retailers such as Asprey and Cartier. For over 700 years these amazing clocks have delighted and challenged all who witness their makers' ingenuity.

Mystery, Novelty, & Fantasy Clocks (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Roberts, Derek

Antiques & Collectibles

Schiffer

This long-awaited volume chronicles the horological work carried out in France, Germany, and North America and completes the fascinating history of precision timekeeping in recent time. In France, renowned clockmakers include the Berthouds, the Lepautes, Robin, Janvier, Lepine, LeRoy and Leroy, Bourdier, Jacot and Jarossay. In Germany the primary emphasis is on Riefler, Strasser, and Rohde, but the works of other important makers are also considered. America's contribution to precision timekeeping is chronicled including the works of Seth Thomas, Charles Fasoldt, William Bond and Son Co., E. Howard and Co. and others. Recent advancements in timekeeping include the W5, a clock created by Philip Woodward and the Littlemore clock created by Professor Hall, almost certainly the most accurate pendulum controlled clock the world has known. Over 500 beautiful color and black-and-white photographs illustrate the historical contributions of these eminent clockmakers.

Precision Pendulum Clocks: The Quest for Accurate Timekeeping (A Schiffer Book for Collectors)

Schiffer Pub. Ltd

This beautiful book presents the fascinating developments in precision time keeping in England from 1720 through the 18th and 19th centuries. The work of well-known 18th century horologists, Shelton, Ellicott, Arnold, Cumming, Earnshaw and the Vulliamys, Reid and Hardy and others are included. Their technical advances in precision pendulum clocks are documented along with the evolution of the cases they were housed in, from the early Georgian style to the classic Victorian dome-topped regulators. Over 700 color and black and white photographs and illustrations document these historically significant time regulators. They have become essential our everyday lives, aiding the industrial revolution, regulating the timetables of trains and being used by clockmakers to regulate the watches and clocks the world had come to rely on.

English Precision Pendulum Clocks (A Schiffer Book for Collectors)

This is the third and last volume on the development and manufacture of precision pendulum clocks by Roberts, a specialist in England on clock restoration and manufacture. Designed for collectors and the interested reader, the volume surveys clocks made in France, Germany, and the US with attention to the histories of their makers, their technological development and use. Statistics on the date and place of manufacture are included for each clock. Chapters contributed by several other specialists include those on the pendulum clocks of the U.S., pendulum astronomical clocks created by F.M. Fedchenko, the Littlemore clock, and the all-mechanical precision clock W5. The volume is illustrated with many color plates. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Precision Pendulum Clocks: France, Germany, America, and Recent Advancements (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

Schiffer_Publishing

This book reflects the period from 1960 to the present, from when clocks and other antiques were plentiful and modestly priced and dealing was fun to the present time, when good examples are difficult to find and higher priced. Clear advice is given on buying and selling clocks. Many of the rare clocks that have passed through the author's hands and been carefully restored are illustrated.

A Life With Antique Clocks

The skeleton clock probably is the most fascinating of all clocks. It displays, by means of its fretted-out frame and lack of any protective case other than a glass dome, its inner-most workings. Therefore, this type of clock attracted the attention of some of the finest makers, particularly those working in France from circa 1760-1860 as it enabled them to display their skills so completely. It was for the same reason that it was popular with their wealthy clients, who could show off their latest acquisitions so perfectly. A typical example of this is an amazing clock made by Sarton for the Duke of Lorraine, the dial of which swings to and fro so that wherever you are sitting in the room you can see it clearly. Other examples are the glass-plated clocks which apparently have no frame and often go for six months at a single winding, and clocks which show not only the time but also such things as day, date, month, moons, age and phases, sunrise and sunset, the time in other world locations, and even the equation of time(i.e. the difference between the sun's and our time). Many of these are more than clocks-they are great works of art. Numerous examples, including the products of countries such as France, Holland, Austria, and America are included and fully illustrated, frequently in color, in this book. There is a chapter on modern skeleton clocks that shows that fine clockmaking still is very much alive and well. The fascinating information on skeleton clocks made in America is the first full account to be published in over a decade.

Continental and American Skeleton Clocks

"The longcase clock has been a part of the Englishman's home for some 300 years and has gained a place in his heart seldom if every achieved by any other domestic item. An example of its importance in family life is that it, with the bed and the house, was nearly always mentioned specifically in the will." In Derek Roberts's important new book, readers find a wealth of valuable information detailing the British origins, evolution, and wide range of longcase clocks that have been produced since the sixteenth century. In twenty chapters Mr. Roberts provides a detailed overview of many facets of these beautiful and useful art works, including early square dial, rare, astronomical and equation clocks, walnut breakarch longcase clocks (and those in other woods), and thirty-hour clocks. Other chapters detail various dial and decoration forms, precision timekeeping, important makers, and clocks of the Victorian and Edwardian eras right up to modern times. A glossary of terms and lengthy index of makers are included. In British Longcase Clocks, Mr. Roberts share his wealth of knowledge enthusiastically and presents over 300 black and white and full-color photographs of details and whole clocks. His book will interest clock owners and all who love fine furniture.

British Longcase Clocks

The beauty of carriage clocks and their accompanying cases is an integral part of their design, but one aspect-their intricate movements-also displays solutions to mechanical problems that only the genius designer could solve. In this major new work by an expert clock historian and restorer, the reader will find over 400 exquisite color and 285 black-and-white photographs of hundreds of traveling clocks, as well as the explanations of all the major designers' work from the 17th century forward. Special chapters present the work of noted clockmakers Breguet, Garnier, Vulliamy, Cole, Frodsham, McCabe, Dent, white and more. Swiss, Austrian, French, English, and a few American traveling clocks are included. Since these clocks were technically advanced, scientific instruments of their day, they first were made for royal and wealthy patrons with the finest gilt, porcelain enamel, and jeweled materials. The book displays these fantastically beautiful works of art-miniature clocks as well as full-size ones-and more common popular styles available today.

Carriage and Other Traveling Clocks

The Witching Hour is a story of a young teenage witch finding herself and love in a world where witches are burned

The Witching Hour

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Fantasy

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Clear, authoritative text. Wide-ranging coverage of collectable clocks from America and Europe. Fully illustrated throughout with many examples described in detail.

A Collector's Guide to Clocks

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Books by Roberts, Derek