Continental and American Skeleton Clocks, Derek Roberts — 1st Edition

£70.00

Continental and American Skeleton Clocks, Derek Roberts — 1st Edition

Name: Continental and American Skeleton Clocks, Derek Roberts — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4873
Price: 70.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: West Chester, Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 1989

Formatting: 4to, pp. 247.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The book presents superbly, bound in firm, dark blue cloth boards that remain remarkably rigid, square, and entirely free from bumping or shelf-wear, boasting brilliantly unoxidised silver gilt lettering to the spine. The binding is exceptionally tight and robust, suggesting the volume has been scarcely opened, let alone read. Internally, the pages are immaculately crisp, bright, and completely devoid of foxing, toning, or any unwarranted blemishes. The accompanying dust jacket is equally impressive, graded Near Fine; it remains glossy, vibrant, and unclipped, suffering only from the most marginal and superficial edge-wear to the extremities, with no tears, creases, or sun-fading to speak of. A genuinely collector-quality copy.

Catalogue Note: First edition, confirmed by the singular copyright declaration and a lack of subsequent printings listed on the preliminary pages. The volume is profusely illustrated throughout with hundreds of colour and monochrome plates, cementing its status as an indispensable photographic reference.

The copy remains entirely free of any previous ownership signatures, bookplates, or distracting provenance marks, leaving a beautifully clean canvas.

Encountering a fine, first-edition copy of this authoritative reference work on the open market is becoming increasingly uncommon—particularly one retaining a dust jacket in such a pristine, vibrant, and un-sunned state.

Continental and American Skeleton Clocks is widely regarded as the definitive reference work on the subject, expertly compiled by the esteemed horologist Derek Roberts. Delving deep into the fascinating history, aesthetics, and intricate mechanics of these 'naked' timepieces, Roberts primarily focuses on the exquisite craftsmanship emerging from France and Austria, whilst also dedicating substantial coverage to the master makers of Belgium, Holland, Spain, and America.

The book meticulously chronicles the evolution of skeleton clocks, demonstrating how the absence of a conventional wooden case demanded that the inner workings be both mechanically flawless and visually breathtaking. Richly illustrated and exhaustively researched, this volume is an essential resource for serious collectors, antiquarian horologists, and anyone captivated by the intersection of fine art and precision engineering.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Derek Roberts

Book Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Technology, Engineering & Agriculture

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 247

Book Publication Year: 1989

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: West Chester, United States

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.