Good book on Tower Clocks?

[vlad0002]

Hi all,

I am very interested in Tower Clocks and am thinking about buying a good book on the subject. Is there a consensus on what is the "best" book out there, if any?

In future (hopefully not too distant, depending on the money), I was looking to buy a tower clock, not too big, preferably E. Howard or Seth Thomas, gotta have both time and strike and preferably have original finish. Does anyone know of tower clocks that are for sale in Minneapolis area/Upper Midwest?

Thank you very much.

Vlad

[gvasale]

Fred Shelly's Early American Tower clocks is the only one I know of. I think its only available as a used book now. Sometime seen on your "favorite" web auction site.

[Frank Menez]

English Church Clocks by C.F.C. Beeson 1280-1850

[jmclaugh]

You could check out the Turret Clock Keeper's Handbook which is I think still available to download for free.

[DanJeffries]

Hi Vlad,
I have both books, Beeson's and Shelley's, and they both are excellent books. You can find Shelley's book on Ebay many times, but be ready to pay about $50-70 for it. And as far as Beeson's book, it is probably the best resource for your ancient bird cage style clocks, and you will have fun finding a copy of one of those. It took me a very long time, but you can still find them if you are persistant.

To comment on your future tower clock purchase, I'll be honest with you, if you want a E. Howard or Seth Thomas, be ready for a shock to your wallet. Especially their smaller movements, sometimes go for ridiculous amounts of money, plus with you wanting Time and Strike.....yeah, just be prepared.
To be honest I have owned both Howard and Seth Thomas's at one point in time, and now my tower clock collection only has the small E. Howard #00, which is very easy to display, etc. You may want to look at a European movement. A lot of times Euro tower clock movements are more eye-catching, because each manufacturer wanted "theirs" to be completely different and unique for the most part. Also some of them are 3 and even 4 train movements. So.....just a thought.
Anyhow, in my experience, I can almost or sometimes buy 2 Euro tower clocks for what I paid for an American tower clock. They are all great to me, but just giving a little word of advice.
Good luck finding one, and let me know maybe I can help you locate one. Don't know of any in your area at the moment.
Thanks
Dan

Originally Posted by vlad0002

Hi all,

I am very interested in Tower Clocks and am thinking about buying a good book on the subject. Is there a consensus on what is the "best" book out there, if any?

In future (hopefully not too distant, depending on the money), I was looking to buy a tower clock, not too big, preferably E. Howard or Seth Thomas, gotta have both time and strike and preferably have original finish. Does anyone know of tower clocks that are for sale in Minneapolis area/Upper Midwest?

Thank you very much.

Vlad

[vlad0002]

Thanks, guys for your replies.

Ordered the Shelley's book from Amazon for under $30 -- good deal. Besson's book is $170+ there, so -- ouch.

Dan, thanks for the interesting information. Please keep me in mind if you come across one somewhere in Upper Midwest. I know it won't be cheap -- that's what prevents me from actively seeking one right now. Somebody told me when I have $4-6K in cash to give him a call, as someone he knows has eight tower clocks in the area stashed in a storage unit, priced in that range...

Thanks again.

Vlad

[DanJeffries]

Glad to see you got Shelley's book for cheap, I lucked up and bought one on Amazon for I think 45 so you did better than I did. Beeson's book was pricey, but just be patient, by the time you really read Shelley's book maybe you will run across a copy of Beeson' more reasonable. Also look at Antique book websites, if I remember that is where I got mine I think for around 70-80.

The guy that told you 4-6K is right, and even then I bet they need restoration or work. I have 7 tower clock movments and they can get up there.....I've gotten a few really good deals, but it still isn't like getting a deal on a mantle clock!
I will definitely keep you in mind and if I run across something interesting I will let you know.
Happy hunting
Dan

Originally Posted by vlad0002

Thanks, guys for your replies.

Ordered the Shelley's book from Amazon for under $30 -- good deal. Besson's book is $170+ there, so -- ouch.

Dan, thanks for the interesting information. Please keep me in mind if you come across one somewhere in Upper Midwest. I know it won't be cheap -- that's what prevents me from actively seeking one right now. Somebody told me when I have $4-6K in cash to give him a call, as someone he knows has eight tower clocks in the area stashed in a storage unit, priced in that range...

Thanks again.

Vlad

[Ralph]

One of the best write ups on Tower Clocks is by Mark Frank, a major tower clock collector.

http://www.my-time-machines.net/speech_final_web.pdf

His website will keep you busy for a while. Here's the home page.

http://www.my-time-machines.net/

Ralph

[jeastwod]

G K Hadfield currently has the Beeson book for sale, 80 GBP.

[vlad0002]

Thanks for the info, guys! DanJeffries -- please do keep me in mind. Ralph, the site and essay are awesome! Spent hours there, great stuff.

jeastwod, thanks for the headsup. I already snatched a used copy of Beeson book on Amazon for $25. Seller sais, condition is acceptable. Not here yet, we'll see.


Thanks.

Vlad