Review by HENRY B. FRIED In the early days of clock collecting and with the beginning of the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, the avid collector would gladly pay premium prices for old catalogues published by clock companies -- many of which had long been out of business. With these references, collectors had a decided advantage over those less knowledgeable. These old factory publications lent an authentic identity and a reliable reference with which to determine the originality of the offered clock and the ability to determine whether the timepiece had suffered alterations. The references also revealed original selling prices. Later, when the number of collectors multiplied thousands fold, some enterprising collectors published and sold copies of these original publications. Most of these provided only poor quality reproductions, making comparisons a bit difficult. Still later, some of these companies added a current estimate of value adjacent to the clocks illustrated. These however were quickly outdated, as common knowledge dictates that prices of antiques are never static. It is interesting to note how the evolution of such catalogue reproductions has progressed to current times. The Trantiques Book Company is among those in the forefront of researching old company records, advertisements and catalogues. In publishing facsimile copies of original factory artwork, they have utilized the most modern reproductive technology. Thus, the pictured clocks in these modern facsimile reproductions are virtually exact replicas of those found in mint copies of the original catalogues. Furthermore, the format of these current re-editions has evolved into an expanded textbook-type publication that does more than show pictures, descriptions and price estimates. The text additionally contains an excellent guide for the beginning collector and provides a refresher for the more experienced dealer-collector. It can be used as a guide for examining a clock before purchase, buying or bidding at auctions, pricing and selling or upgrading an item. Waterbury Clocks - History, Identification and Price Guide is edited and published by Tran Duy Ly, who for many years has devoted much of his time, effort and expense in this direction. This publication also discusses the desirability of all types of clocks regardless of type or make. In this section, Mr. Tran Duy Ly addresses the conditions of cases, dials and hands, labels and decorative tablets. He also brings the reader's attention to details in examination that otherwise might be known only to the very sophisticated experienced buyer or connoisseur. Other subjects include advice regarding buying, selling, investing, collecting, speculation, auctions and the use of reference books. The list of contributors to this publication reads like a Who's Who in clock collecting and the new format does away with the hitherto common practice of defacing and distracting from illustrations with obtrusive ephemeral price estimates. Instead, each of the 1,387 timepieces is given a distinctive number above the reproduction of original catalogue art. With this particular edition, the estimated price of each clock pictured, arrived at by the large panel of experts cited, is listed in a separate section. In this encyclopedic new format, one finds a fine history of the Waterbury Clock Company, the subject of this work. This article is researched and written by Chris Bailey who for many years served as the Curator of the American Clock and Watch Museum at Bristol, Connecticut. He is also the author of several books on American clocks and watch companies and their history. This edition contains all the known and researched catalogues of the Waterbury Clock Company from its inception in the mid-nineteenth century until recent times. Note that according to the editor-publisher, extensive research has failed to reveal the existence of any known Waterbury clock catalogues from 1894 to 1900. In regard to the price guide, prices for the 1,387 timepieces pictured will be updated on a regular basis and will include both contemporary values as well as illustrations of any newly discovered Waterbury clocks. This insert then can be added to the volume under discussion here. This comprehensive exposition of Waterbury clocks should be most welcome to the newcomer and will become a reliable reference to the dealer-expert. As mentioned in an earlier text, for both the novice as well as the old-time collector, factory art provides a genuine reference of documentary value with which to compare a potential purchase. It provides the ability to check whether an offered item for the collection is complete, authentic and original. Additionally, one can determine if the offered timepiece has been assembled from many different "parents." To the conscientious restorer, the original factory art can be used as a guide toward the aesthetic goal and full restoration of these treasured clocks. | ||||
