Stretch America’s First Family of Clockmakers


This book presents the definitive history of the Staffordshire born Stretch family of clockmakers who emigrated to Philadelphia in 1703 and played an influential role in the city’s early clock making, civic and Quaker communities. Initial essays discuss the family and the importance of their Quaker beliefs; time telling and the clockmaking community in pre 1750 Philadelphia; innovative mechanical advances made by the Stretches; and their notable civic and cultural contributions to the city


The catalogue section of the book features 84 of the 133 Peter, Thomas, and William Stretch clocks discovered during the course of the project, illustrating and fully describing both the cases and the works. The majority of the clocks, passed down through the generations and still in private collections, are being published for the first time.


• 457 colour illustrations • 343 pages • 25.1 x 31.2cm


£39.75 Ref: C40588


The Finest French Pendulum Clocks


An illustrated history of French pendulum clocks, between the time of Louis XIV and the empire, through their stylistic evolution. This book allows the reader to distinguish between a real 18th century clock and a 19th century imitation, properly estimate its commer- cial value, identify its decoration and the quality of materials, the state of conservation, the rarity of the piece and its artistry.


• Hundreds of clocks analysed • Qualities and defects highlighted


£51.95 Ref: C40585


Big Ben By Chris Mckay The Great Clock and The Bells at the Palace of Westminister


This book covers the history of ‘Big Ben’, the great clock and bells at Westminster, from the origins of Westminster as the seat of government right up to the celebrations of the Great Clock’s 150th anniversary in 2009.


The book begins by taking the reader through a typical visit to the Clock Tower, and then begins the history of the palace of Westmin- ster, covering the fire of 1834, the building of the New Houses of Parliament and development of the clock and the bells, going into detail on their design and installation. The book covers the famous cracking of the current bell Big Ben in 1859, with sketches of all the characters involved, the two world wars, and the disaster of 1976. The book ends with a detailed technical description of the clock mechanism.


The book is richly illustrated, and will appeal not only to clock- makers and horologists, but to bell enthusiasts, and those with an interest in our rich Victorian heritage.


Tel: +44 (0) 1708 757800


• 296 pages • Extensively illustrated


• 416 pages • 305 colour illustrations • 34.1 x 31.8cm


£39.95 Ref: B32293


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