Book Reviews
Welcome to the library's book reviews! Every so often the Dragon casts her eye over books
covering antiques, collecting, fine art and so on. When available you can buy the books
from Amazon, the Dragons favourite book shop.
"CLOCKMAKERS AND WATCHMAKERS OF DERBYSHIRE"
ROY G HUGHES & MAXWELL CRAVEN
Published by Mayfield Books - ISBN 0 9523270 6 6
A long awaited and much needed reference work for the collector and any one interested in the clock making history of Derbyshire. This readable book with many black and white photographs, details the beginnings of clock making in the county from the seventeenth century until it’s decline at the start of the twentieth century. Particular reference is made to John Whitehurst, possibly the most influential of all Derbyshire’s clock makers. A comprehensive listing of makers with many family trees is another feature of this excellent book.
Just a small criticism - some colour photographs, particularly of painted dial clocks, would have been nice.
Dragons verdict - Excellent, useful book for collector and professional dealer alike. To find more or to order, click the link to bookpages:
To find out more about Derbyshire Clockmakers, see the Library's Glossary - we also have Derbyshire Clocks in stock, please see the Clocks department or Email The Dragon.
"The French Marble Clock"
Published by N A G Press ISBN 0 7198 0230 X
The marble clocks so popular in Victorian age are gaining respect and admiration by the day, so its great to see a book about them at last! These clocks look superb sitting on their intended soul mates - the stone fire mantle.Nicolas Thorpe is an engineer by profession and takes us through the subject in an ordered and methodical manner. Literature this isn't’t, but it is a great source of information, starting with the history of the clockmakers, leading through technical aspects of restoration and design it concludes with an excellent reference of collectors’ clocks, makers and marks. Also there is a good chapter describing the process of mining and types of marble.
Dragon’s Verdict: If you are interested in French Marble Clocks you must have this book!
See the Library's Glossary for more about French Clocks. Dragon-Antiques.com has French clocks in stock. Please see the Clocks Department or Email The Dragon for details.
Bradbury's Book of Hallmarks
by Frederick Bradbury
Published by Frederick Bradbury Publications Ltd ISBN:0953174107 or 0953174115
The size of this little book belies its monumental importance to anyone with any interest in English, Scottish or Irish Hallmarked silver. It contains the date marks that every piece of silver had to bear by law from 1544 to the present day thus allowing the date of a piece to be known. The book starts with a useful introduction to the practice of hallmarking, followed by the date marks and finishes with a section on Old Sheffield Plate, all for around £4.50!
Dragon’s Verdict: Every self respecting collector or dealer in silver must have this book!
Two versions are available from Amazon, a paperback and a smart leather bound volume:
The Library's Glossary contains some information on Hallmarks or why not view our collection of Hallmarked Silver?
The International Dictionary of Clocks
Editor: Smith, A
Published by Bounty Books, ISBN: 1851529071
Richly illustrated and packed with information, this is the sort of book to keep near by for those occasions when you just can't quite remember something. It's also great just to browse through. Arranged alphabetically its easy to find articles on a huge number of different topics covering clocks from around the world.
Dragon’s Verdict: This is a great book for a clock enthusiast, hundreds of illustrations and articles covering almost everything horological and available for around £11.00! from remainder shops.
VICTORIAN STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURES 1835-1875
by A. & N. HARDING
published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
BOOK 1 - PORTRAITS, NAVAL & MILITARY, THEATRICAL & LITERARY. ISBN 076430464X
BOOK 2 - RELIGIOUS, OCCUPATIONS, ANIMALS, COTTAGES & CASTLES ETC. ISBN 0764304186
Good readable books on the ever popular collecting field of Staffordshire figures are not easy to come by and these two companion works by father and son authors are excellent. Easy to read plain descriptions combined with thousands of good colour photographs will ensure a place on every collectors shelf.
DRAGON' VERDICT: Dip into these books through the long winter nights. Their glorious colour photographs will cheer you up and come summer you will be able to identify hundreds of figures.
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THE VICTORIAN STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURE
by ANTHONY OLIVER
published by Heinemann Ltd ISBN 43454390X
An excellent book for the beginner with information on the manufacture of figures and the lives of the people who made them, their techniques, subjects and inspiration. Easy to read, informative and entertaining.
DRAGON'S VERDICT: She 'cut her teeth' Staffordshire wise on this book and is devastated that it seems to be out of print. If you see one in a second hand book store - buy it! She could well be tempted to 'take it off your hands'. email: The Dragon
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ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF BRITISH POTTERY AND PORCELAIN MARKS
by GEOFFREY A GODDEN
published Barrie and Jenkins London. ISBN 0257657827
The definitive work on ceramic factory marks, laid out in easy to use alphabetical order. An esential reference tool for collectors and dealers. See other books by this author, perhaps the leading expert on ceramics, available from Bookpages.
DRAGON'S VERDICT: Could not do my job without this book. Enough said!
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STAFFORDSHIRE PORTRAIT FIGURES OF THE VICTORIAN ERA
by P.D. GORDON PUGH
published by ANTIQUE COLLECTORS CLUB ISBN 1851490108
Known throughout the trade as 'Pugh' this vast work of reference is remarkable not only for it's catalogue of figures but also for the biographies and historical notes covering most of the ninetenth century. Widely refered to in auction catalogues, if you only require one book on the subject - this is it.
DRAGON'S VERDICT: An essential weapon in Dragons armoury (a very big book)!