So runs the old tune by Chicago. I wasn't asking that question myself when I encountered a simply marvelous tome amongst our new non-fiction titles and decided it deserves a mention.
It's The History of Watches by David Thompson, with photographs by Saul Peckham. It was published earlier this year by the esteemed art house Abbeville Press of New York. The title tells it all: it's a sumptuous, revelatory waltz through the story of small timepieces.
To be honest, I actually don't like watches. I never wear one. I don't even own one. I plucked this title from the shelf simply because it's a history of a commonplace object, and books on such matters tend to interest me (I am currently engrossed in Milk: The Surprising Story of Milk Through the Ages by Anne Mendelson--but that's an entirely different blog entry). It is, however, hardly all-encompassing: Thompson is the Curator of Horological Collections at the British Museum, and this book presents the stories of seventy-seven (out of over 4,500!) of that particular institution's horological (when else am I going to get to utilize that adjective?) holdings.
The oldest piece dates from around 1560, originating in Germany. A particularly ornate watch, dating from 1630 by French watchmaker Louis Vautier, caught my eye: all gold and enamel, set with semi-precious stones. The watches in this collection tend to be very intricate affairs, and many of the oldest among them still function. The pieces reflect both centuries-old pieces as well as current offerings by Casio and the venerable Bulova line of extravagant wristwatches.
We were able to add both The History of Watches as well as several dozen other books on art and artists through the generous providence of the estate of Paul F. and Mary B. Tigh. Currently, a large number of these new art books are being shelved in the front of the Main Library. Come on in and check one of them out with the smARTest card in town!
It's The History of Watches by David Thompson, with photographs by Saul Peckham. It was published earlier this year by the esteemed art house Abbeville Press of New York. The title tells it all: it's a sumptuous, revelatory waltz through the story of small timepieces.
To be honest, I actually don't like watches. I never wear one. I don't even own one. I plucked this title from the shelf simply because it's a history of a commonplace object, and books on such matters tend to interest me (I am currently engrossed in Milk: The Surprising Story of Milk Through the Ages by Anne Mendelson--but that's an entirely different blog entry). It is, however, hardly all-encompassing: Thompson is the Curator of Horological Collections at the British Museum, and this book presents the stories of seventy-seven (out of over 4,500!) of that particular institution's horological (when else am I going to get to utilize that adjective?) holdings.
The oldest piece dates from around 1560, originating in Germany. A particularly ornate watch, dating from 1630 by French watchmaker Louis Vautier, caught my eye: all gold and enamel, set with semi-precious stones. The watches in this collection tend to be very intricate affairs, and many of the oldest among them still function. The pieces reflect both centuries-old pieces as well as current offerings by Casio and the venerable Bulova line of extravagant wristwatches.
We were able to add both The History of Watches as well as several dozen other books on art and artists through the generous providence of the estate of Paul F. and Mary B. Tigh. Currently, a large number of these new art books are being shelved in the front of the Main Library. Come on in and check one of them out with the smARTest card in town!
No comments:
Post a Comment