From time to time people have asked me for a list of books on turret clocks, booksellers too are often unaware as to just how much material is available on the subject. However, there is as yet, no real definitive book on the subject, so information is generally to be found here a little and there a little. Hence I have made this list available. Some books are in print, some difficult to find. Try specialist horological booksellers.
Where do you start? I suggest these four books:-
BEESON. C.F.C.
English Church Clocks 1280-1850.
GRIMTHORPE. Edmund, Beckett, Lord. LL.D,.K.C., F.R.A.S.
A Rudimentary Treatise on Clocks and Watches, and Bells for Public
Purposes.
McKAY. Christopher
Stands the Church Clock
McKAY. Christopher (Editor)
A Guide to Turret Clock Research
Then, here are others...
DARWIN. John
The Triumphs of Big Ben.
R Hale London 1986
De CARLE. Donald.
British Time.
Crosby Lockwood, London 1959.
*Quite a bit on Big Ben. Just right for those who don't want to
go too deep.
DULEY. Anthony J.
The Medieval Clock of Salisbury Cathedral.
First printed in 1972.
Reprinted with additions 1973.
Second Reprint 1977.
A brief history of the clock's discovery, its "restoration",
and a description of the movement.
FERRIDAY. Peter.
Lord Grimthorpe 1816-1905.
John Murray, London 1957.
A must for any Big Ben fan, or for those to whom Grimthorpe's
crusty temperament appeals..
GORDON. G.F.C.
Clockmaking Past and Present. With which is incorporated the more
important portions of "Clocks Watches and Bells," by
the late Lord Grimthorpe, relating to turret clocks and gravity
escapements.
Crosby Lockwood & Sons, London 1925. 1st Edition.
Trade Edition 1928. 229pp.
Technical Press Ltd, London 1949. 2nd enlarged edition.
GRIMTHORPE Lord.
Edmund Beckett Denison was born 1816. In 1874 he was inherited
a Baronetcy and became known as Sir Edmund Beckett. In 1886 he
was raised to the Peerage and became Lord Grimthorpe.
GRIMTHORPE's "Rudimentary Treatise"
This book was undoubtedly the most popular book which Grimthorpe
wrote. It went through 8 editions from 1850 to 1903, Grimthorpe
went through three different names and the title of his work likewise
was changed several times. Only the last edition is mentioned
here.
GRIMTHORPE. Edmund,Beckett, Lord. LL.D,.K.C., F.R.A.S.
A Rudimentary Treatise on Clocks and Watches, and Bells for Public
Purposes.
404pp
Facsimile reprint of 8th Edition 1974 by EP Publishing
INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.
Big Ben- Its Engineering Past and Future.
Institution of Mechanical Engineers 1981.
Some history not often publicised, plus a scientific look at the
cause of the failure that caused the 1976 disaster.
McKAY. Christopher
Stands the Church Clock
(Exhibition Catalogue)
St Edmundsbury Borough Council 1989
McKAY. Christopher (Editor)
A Guide to Turret Clock Research
Antiquarian Horological Society Turret Clock Group 1991.
McKAY. Christopher (Editor)
The Great Salisbury Clock Trial
Antiquarian Horological Society Turret Clock Group 1993.
MERCER. Vaudrey.
Edward John Dent and his Successors.
Antiquarian Horological Society 1977.
MERCER. Vaudrey.
A supplement to Edward John Dent and his Successors. (Published
1977)
Antiquarian Horological Society 1983.
5 pages on Big Ben, mentions the cause of the 1976 disaster. Has
4 folding plates in the back showing Denison's sketches for the
Great Clock.
PICKFORD. Christopher J. (Editor)
Turret Clocks: Lists of Clocks from makers' catalogues and publicity
materials.
AHS 1995.
WILDING. John
A Modern Tower Clock Installation.
Meridian Clocks Sussex 1984
WILDING. John
A Small Weight Driven Tower Clock Movement.
Meridian Clocks Sussex 19??