"There's a substitute for everything but time" was a phrase oft quoted by a former member of HOBBIES Staff. Thus he denounced the necessity for time-keeping as did Ben Jonson in 1629 when he wrote "O for an engine to keep back all clocks." Although time is a hard taskmaster few people in the world today would sacrifice their timepieces, for each day revolves around them from the moment the alarm rings in the morning until the "tick-tock" of this same clock promotes sleep in the evening. Timepieces of one type or another have dominated the lives of the peoples of the world since the first sun dial appeared.

Clocks of the past have been preserved by collectors, and the history and beauty contained in these masterpieces is enchantingly told by Mr. Ullyett in this publication. In addition to details as to the various types and makes of clocks that have become collector material, the author has included information regarding faking and restoration, short histories of the numerous clock-makers, decorations used and other fascinating horological points of interest. In Quest of Clocks contains 84 photographic illustrations and 28 line drawings all of which are excellent. The illustrations are beautifully reproduced, interesting and well chosen. Another interesting treatment of this book is the appendix listing English clockmakers of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries which will be welcomed by collectors of horological material. It is also indexed for easy reference, and contains an explicit glossary of technical and historic terms. There are time charts and date lists. The publication is well bound and very readable; in fact it contains everything needed to make up an entirely new book that will undoubtedly prove invaluable to both collector and dealer.

Published by The Hyperion Press and distributed in the United States by The MacMillan Company, 60 Fifth Ave., New York 11, N.Y., 264 pages, illustrated. Price $5.00.

Hobbies Magazine, July 1951