Review by FRED INGRAM Jackson, Mississippi
Dr. Fred H. Ingram was NAWCC President from 1991 to 1993

While not in any way related to the Ingraham family of clockmakers who bear a name similar to mine, I have long had an interest in Ingraham clocks. When I received the draft of Tran Duy Ly's newest book, Ingraham Clocks & Watches, With a Special Section on Early Ingraham Clocks, my interest peaked and I was very pleased with what I read.

I was immediately captivated with the excellent 20 page history of the Ingrahams and all their ventures into clockmaking by noted horologist Chris Bailey. That the Ingrahams and their many firms spanned the years 1828 to 1978 is astounding - 150 years! This history is augmented by superb illustrations of the Ingraham factories, a list of patents, and an excellent three page Ingraham chronology. Chris Bailey also presents a special section on Ingraham black mantle clocks. While these black mantles are now reasonably priced, I predict they will be among the most popular clocks of the 21st century. Now is the time to read about and understand these long underrated clocks while they are still reasonably priced.

Tom Spittler provides a superb section on Early Ingraham Clocks. These 43 pages cover the efforts of the early Ingraham firms before 1860. None of these clocks were pictured in catalogs so all clocks presented are from actual photographs. The popular firms of Brewster & Ingrahams and E. & A. Ingrahams are well documented and the rare and valuable clocks produced by these firms, and others, are pictured and described in detail.

The main part of the book is devoted to the Ingraham clocks manufactured after 1860. Where possible, Mr. Ly has inserted actual photographs to augment catalog illustrations to show these clocks and watches in detail. Ingraham was noted for its wrist watch and pocket watch production after 1912 and 13 pages are devoted to Ingraham watches.

The section on movements is going to prove of benefit for repairmen. Movements illustrated range from 8-day pendulum , through alarm, fit-up, and watch to manual and self starting electric movements. The volume ends with a well prepared index by Sonya Spittler.

Mr. Ly's other books about American clockmaking firms have set the standard for excellence in American horological literature. Starting with Seth Thomas, a work unequalled, and continuing with books on Ansonia, New Haven, Welch, Waterbury and Gilbert, this newest offering is again of the highest quality, typical of the Arlington Book Company. It contains 31 chapters and over 380 pages on different types of Ingraham clocks and watches and a supplementary price guide.

If you collect American clocks, if you own an old Ingraham clock or watch you would like to know more about, or if you repair Ingraham clock or watch movements, this book is a must for you.

Crunruh offers quality books on antiques, fine art, and collectibles for all types of collectors. The books are brand new and nicely discounted. Some may be steeply discounted thanks to publishers overstocks and remainders. Others may be hard to find.

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