The American Clock

Book excerpt: "The most all-encompassing work on the subject to be published in many years, The American Clock is certain to become a standard reference work in this important and ever-growing field of collecting. The book is not intended to be a history of clockmaking in America; instead, its purpose is to collect into one volume a very large number of significant clocks of all types so that collectors will have a substantial pictorial reference with which to compare their own acquisitions and to extend their knowledge of the field. Compiled by William H. Distin, a well-know authority on clock who is a fellow and former Director of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, this 360-page book presents almost 700 black-and-white illustrations, 84 color plates, a 65-page listing of 6153 American clockmakers, and a glossary of clock terms. Also, over 100 of the photographs show close-ups of the dials and works of many different clocks. Of special interest is the fact that most of the clocks assembled in this volume are published in this book for the first time--for the majority of them have been photographed from private collections. The illustrations are divided into the following main categories: Tower Clocks, Tall Case Clocks, Dwarf Tall Case Clocks, Bracket Clocks, Massachusetts Shelf Clocks, Lighthouse Clocks, Shelf Clocks, Novelty Clocks, Tools, and Wall Clocks. The index lists the clockmakers alphabetically, with the clocks illustrated arranged under the name of each maker. In every respect The American Clock is a most impressive and handsome production that will prove highly useful for years to come to all collectors and students in the field." -- Provided by publisher