He made some of the first watches with balancesprings, helped to develop the quadrant, and produced clocks for prestigious clients. Middle english, from old french tampon, variant of tapon, rag for stopping a hole, of germanic origin. The 300year quest for accurate timekeeping in england. A comparison of the lives and work of thomas tompion and. This beautiful and lavish book, comprising 650 fully illustrated pages, covers previously unpublished fascinating information of tompion s life, his clients and his production methods. Weight, ben and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at. Thomas tompion was born around 1639 and was baptized on 25 july 1639 in northill, bedfordshire, england.
Thomas tompion is commonly referred to as the father of english clockmaking. Books for sale on english clocks and watches page 1. Jeremy evans, jonathan carter and ben wright, thomas tompion 300 years, stroud 20. Remarkably little is known of how thomas learnt his trade but it is believed he moved to london in 1671, becoming a brother of the clockmakers company. Thomas tompion was born in northill, bedford, only thirtyfive miles from josephs birthplace. Thomas tompion his life work german hardcover january 1, 1969 by r. Howard miller thomas tompion 612436 mantel clock the. Tompion who departed this life the 20th of november 17 in the 75th year of his age. He has created some of the greatest clocks in the world and was. Nov 06, 2019 howard walwyn has built a reputation over 30 years as an expert dealer in the finest english clocks and barometers, dating from 16th to the 19th centuries. Thomas tompion, baptized july 25, 1639, ickwell green, northill, bedfordshire, eng.
The definitive biography and oeuvre overview of thomas tompion, the best horologist of the golden age of british timekeepers. I may never own a gretton clock or watch but i can enjoy grettons mastery of the horological arts through your book, charles gretton clock. It is worth noting that evans, carter and wright, in their book thomas tompion. Symonds author, profusely illustrated illustrator see all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. He is often regarded as the father of english clockmaking. This book describes tompion as a great clockmaker, indicating. Tompions definition of tompions by the free dictionary. Tompion definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Were both watch experts and history enthusiasts taking our main inspiration from our namesake thomas tompion, the father of english clockmaking. The book includes a concise checklist of the clocks, watches and instruments from the tompion workshops, including the work of george graham and other makers who were also apprenticed to. Thomas tompion 300 years abebooks shop for books, art. A plug or cover for the muzzle of a cannon or gun to keep out dust and moisture. He later married tompions niece, elizabeth tompion.
This 664 page fully illustrated book examines tompions life and work from several fresh and revealing angles. Amazon price new from used from hardcover, 1 nov 20. Large quantity of standard horological reference books over thirty. Inspired by the gentleman who helped put england on the exquisite watch map, we are proud to introduce our new watch designs in his honour. He has created some of the greatest clocks in the world and was one of the first to use balance springs in watches. This beautiful and lavish book, comprising 650 fully. The book includes a concise checklist of the clocks, watches and instruments from the tompion workshops, including the work of george graham and other makers who were also apprenticed to tompion. Evans, jeremy thomas tompion at the dial and three crowns antiquarian horological society, ticehurst 2006, dj. Chriselli is an official thomas tompion watch stockist. Thomas tompion 300 years 9780992756109 by evans, jeremy. He is renowned both for the accuracy of his timepieces and for their beauty. Nothing is known of tompions formative years, and his fathers blacksmithing is the. He specialises in early english clocks by makers such as ahasuerus fromanteel, thomas tompion, george graham, joseph knibb, henry jones and daniel quare. A miniature of thomas tompion 163917 with a watch and a repeating movement, c 1700 probably the most wellknown member of the company is thomas tompion 163917.
Dominics press on handmade paper with deckled edges, the top edge gilt. Dec 26, 20 tompion enthusiasts should be further delighted by the announcement of the forthcoming publication of thomas tompion, 300 years. This beautiful and lavish book, comprising 650 fully illustrated pages, covers previously unpublished fascinating information of tompions life, his clients and his production methods. Thomas tompion 300 years by jeremy evans, jonathan. His father of the same name was known to be a blacksmith. Tompion clock a 300yearold grandesonnerie promises to be the most expensive timepiece ever auctioned by sothebys. Thomas tompion163917 english clockmaker thomas tompion was.
A rare book limited to 300 copies, with grey cloth spine, grey cloth. Thomas tompion163917 english clockmaker thomas tompion was one of the greatest clock and watchmakers. Dealing with institutions and private collectors worldwide, he has handled many of the most important english clocks to come on the market in the last 20 years. Thomas tompion 300 years by jeremy evans, jonathan carter and ben wright. George graham 7 july 1673 20 november 1751 was an english clockmaker, inventor, and geophysicist, and a fellow of the royal society he was born in kirklinton, cumberland. This 664 page fully illustrated book examines tompions life. Thomas tompion scientist of the day linda hall library. Thomas tompion, an english clock maker, was baptized july 25, 1639. Antiquarian horology, september 1982, guy boney, tompionquare collaboration, pp.
Unusually for an english watch of the period, the watch has winding squares. Spring books london 1969 1st spring books edition sun lightening on shinny grey spine with title in white and black letters, dust jacket. A friend quaker like his mentor thomas tompion, graham left cumberland in 1688 for london to work with tompion. The glass sides and mirrored back reveal the movement. Thomas tompion 300 years by jeremy evans, jonathan carter. The inscription on his stone which has been recut reads. Nov 06, 2019 the present clock is fully illustrated in r. Ben wright deals in all types of top quality english clocks. Freeman of the worshipful company of clockmakers dip. This book includes lists of movement serial numbers for tompion and his successors. The book promises a wealth of new detail, fresh illustrations and includes jeremy evanss previously unpublished chronology of tompions life. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Tompions timepieces were in high demand in restoration london, and he produced a prodigious number of them, with over 5000 watches to his credit.
This year saw the tercentenary of the death thomas tompion b. Thomas tompion 300 years a celebration of the life and work of thomas tompion. Weight, ben and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. He was the eldest son of a blacksmith, also named thomas tompion, and probably worked as a blacksmith until 1664 when he became an apprentice of a london. Alarm watches are the rarest type of watch made by tompion. The definitive biography and oeuvre overview of thomas tompion, the best clockmaker of the golden age of british horology. Tompion enthusiasts should be further delighted by the announcement of the forthcoming publication of thomas tompion, 300 years. Research conducted by jeremy evans suggests that fewer than 10 alarm watches by tompion are known to have survived and, in the book thomas tompion 300 years, the authors note that the present watch is one of the best preserved of them see cit.
Thomas tompion 300 years by jeremy evans, jonathan carter, ben weight isbn. Jan 16, 2014 tompion enthusiasts should be further delighted by the announcement of the forthcoming publication of thomas tompion, 300 years. Jul 25, 2016 thomas tompion, an english clock maker, was baptized july 25, 1639. Howard walwyn has built a reputation over 30 years as an expert dealer in the finest english clocks and barometers, dating from 16th to the 19th. The book is the result of over 25 years work recording, researching and documenting the life, times and work of one of the world.
The case and outer dial are very similar to the one in the ashmoleon museum, depicted on page 270 in j. The howard miller thomas tompion 612436 keywound mantel clock is an exclusive mantel clock offering a cherry bordeaux finish on select hardwoods and veneers with rare carpathian elm burl facing on the hinged door. Thomas tompion 300 years is the most comprehensive book to date on the life and works of thomas tompion. This book belongs in my horological library right next to terrence camerer cuss the english watch 1585 1970, evans et. Tikkers 1 timberland 18 timex 221 tintin 18 tissot 1 versace 3 versus 26. Thomas tompion 300 years water lane publishing, stroud 20, limited edition of 750 this copy unnumbered, dj. This 664 page fully illustrated book examines tompion s life and work from several fresh and revealing angles.
His workshops were renowned and he had patrons in the highest levels of english society and with good reason. Thomas tompion 300 years and the golden age of english horology. The outer case although hallmarked later is still believed to have been supplied by tompion with the makers mark ib. Thomas tompion, called the finest english clockmaker of all time, is buried in the centre part of the nave of westminster abbey. A rare book limited to 300 copies, with grey cloth spine, grey cloth corners and pale grey paper covered boards.
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