REVIEWS and FEEDBACK

Here's what people are saying about Willard's Patent Time Pieces:

"...This book is a clock lover's dream come true. There are 650 photos (345 in full color), over 1000 biographical entries of clockmakers, carvers, ornamental painters, reverse glass artists, and clock merchants, and a wealth of information in this 366-page hardcover book... The photos are exceptional. The shots of brass movements, details of case construction, depictions of period dials, close-ups of weight arrangements, illustrations of such details as the original convex reverse-painted lower tablet of a Lemuel Curtis patent girandole timepiece, and similar photos are fabulous... This is an amazingly thorough book... It's the best book on banjo clocks we've seen, but that's not where its appeal ends. Foley has expanded upon and corrected so much of the existing information about cabinetmakers, clockmakers, decorative painters, and other craftspeople that the book deserves a place on all American furniture lovers' shelves."

— David Hewitt, Book Review, October 2002  
Maine Antique Digest

"Paul Foley's study... Willard's Patent Time Pieces, deserves two places in any library of American decorative arts; first, as the best monograph on the subject of patent timepieces yet produced and, second, as a rich and thorough compilation of biographic references to federal-era craftsmen in the Boston-Roxbury area. The first would constitute an impressive resource on its own, but combined with the second, the reader has the opportunity to construct a vivid and authentic picture of a teeming, productive crafts community that was in the forefront of many aspects of the new American culture.

In his book, Paul Foley combines rigorous connoisseurship, excellent photography, and the research methodology of a social historian to create a document that will serve both as a valuable reference and as an exemplar for future clock studies... Foley has undertaken with admirable success the daunting task of considering the timepiece in its polyglot complexity over a century of production in a variety of New England communities.

For furniture historians, Willard's Patent Time Pieces not only belongs at the head of the list of resources to be used in any future study of New England clocks, but will be useful to everyone interested in federal-era decorative arts."

— David Wood (Concord Museum) and Robert C. Cheney, Book Review
Edited by Luke Beckerdite (Chipstone Foundation)  
American Furniture 2002

"Willard's Patent Time Pieces is the most comprehensive treatise on the patent timepiece in the literature, and the author Paul J. Foley has made an important contribution to our understanding of New England horology... At first glance, the reader is overwhelmed by the nearly 650 illustrations, which are clear, well lighted, and correctly printed, and full of the detail necessary to evaluate a timepiece from a photograph.

Willard's role in the patent timepiece story has assumed mythological proportions... with no explanation of how so few people could hand craft so many clocks... Foley removes the veil by listing (with good primary materials as evidence) many new journeymen working with Simon, Aaron, Aaron Jr. and others in this circle. Finally with the publication of Willard's Patent Time Pieces, the story comes into clear focus and suddenly makes sense.

The author has in fact written two books within these 368 pages. One, a careful description of timepieces by the Willards and their followers throughout a one hundred year period... The second is the comprehensive listing of clockmakers and adjunct craftsmen supplying the casing and decorative embellishments... The serious student will read the entire book, cover to cover, many times to fully digest the story presented. In summary, Willard's Patent Time Pieces is an outstanding book that will remain a valuable and useful reference throughout the 21st century. It provides the reader of the future with the material needed to evaluate this elusive clock and the talented community responsible for its production."

— Robert C. Cheney, Book Review, October 2002  
NAWCC Bulletin

"Paul Foley's... history of the weight-driven banjo clock... is sufficiently technical in its explanation of the mechanics of the works to be appreciated by clock aficionados, and yet readable for the novice. His comprehensive research is generously sprinkled with colorful pictures that make the reading much more enjoyable... the chapters showcase one example after another of handsomely decorated banjo clocks... However, it is the body of the banjo timepiece that captures a decorative painter's attention. There are many authentic examples of reverse-glass painting throughout the book that will encourage you to add this title to your library. Chapter 24 discusses ornamental painters, and highlights more than 40 separate full color tablets large enough to appreciate and examine in detail... [This] is a scholarly book that interests us with personal anecdotes as well as the facts about these works of precision and time-keeping. He punctuates his text with clear close-ups of the mechanisms that will interest clock makers, and he offers plenty of colorful pictures and illustrations upon which to pause and reflect. You will want this beautiful presentation of valuable research in your library"

— Sandra Cohen, Book Review, Fall 2002  
The Decorator: Journal of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration

"I wish to add my personal testimonial for this excellent new book, Willard's Patent Time Pieces. I enthusiastically recommend this book to all who are interested in American antique clocks and clockmakers. At Delaney Antique Clocks we try to educate all who are interested in collecting clocks or just acquiring one for their home or office. This publication gives the reader a vast amount of information unattainable from any other single source. This book will certainly rank as the best book on the subject and will be used as the primary reference by dealers, collectors, and all who may have an interest in banjo timepieces and their makers."

— John M. Delaney, West Townsend, MA  
Delaney Antique Clocks

"I received my copy the other day and I'm having a hard time putting it down. Gives the reader an excellent perspective of how the American Banjo Clock originated and evolved. The book's format and detailed color pictures are excellent. Would recommend to all."

— Robert T. Ling, Simi Valley, CA   on the NAWCC Message Board

"I recently received [my book] and could not be more thrilled. A first class book from start to finish. The author should be commended for doing a great service to the horological field... Well written and well photographed."

— Bob Prochnow, Livermore, CA

"What a fantastic job! It's a beautiful and informative book which will be admired and appreciated by all those who love clocks."

— Shirley S. Baer, Editor
The Decorator: Journal of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration

"Willard's Patent Time Pieces will become the gold standard for evaluating the American Banjo Clock for all of us who love this clock and truly appreciate its place in the American Decorative Arts. Every aspect is well covered: historical, cabinetry, painting, technological and decorative... Congratulations!"

— David A. Sperling, Randolph, NJ

"Wow... I don't really know how else to describe your book. I have found myself unable to just start at the beginning, and have been jumping around the various sections... what a fantastic fix for a Willard addict! ...I am amazed at the amount of info packed into your book... it will bring much enjoyment for many years to come... it definitely has set a new standard in research... a sure to be classic, in every sense of the word... Congratulations on this monumental effort!"

— James J. Manning, Baltimore, MD

"I have just completed reading [your book] and found it the most informative and comprehensive book of any published to date on American Banjo clocks... With the help of your book I believe I have identified [my] banjo clock... Without your book I don't believe a positive I.D. would have been possible... Many thanks and be assured I will continue to recommend your book as a best buy for the serious banjo collector."

— Samuel Licata, Hummelstown, PA

"I congratulate you on your magnificent volume Willard's Patent Time Pieces just published. This is a magisterial volume, probably never to be surpassed. The quality of the production, illustrations, decision to depict movements as well as cases is unique in horological scholarship. You have performed a service for collectors for all time.

I treasure your work. Many, many thanks for the information and enjoyment you have made possible for countless lovers of these objects."

— George H. Porter III, New Orleans, LA

We thank you for your kind words and welcome additional feedback! To learn more about the book, or to share your reaction, please e-mail us at editor@roxburyvillagepublishing.com.