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BOSTON, Mass. – April 5, 2010 – www.skinnerinc.com — Skinner, Inc. today announced that more than 500 objects from the Ted Crom Horological Tool Collection and Library will be offered at auction in Skinner’s Science, Technology & Clocks auction, May 1, 2010 at 10 a.m. in its Marlborough, Massachusetts gallery. Ted Crom was a world-renowned collector of and international authority on horological tools. Thought to be the most comprehensive private collection of its type, The Crom collection was built over a fifty year time span and features wheel-cutting engines, ornamental turning lathes, mandrels, turns, and watch and clock making tools.
Educated in engineering at the University of Maryland, Columbia University and the University of Florida, Dr. Crom received an honorary Doctorate in Engineering from the University of Maryland for his contributions to the field. He was a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, the British Horological Institute, the Antiquarian Horological Society, the American Watchmaker’s Institute, the Society of Ornamental Turners and Ornamental Turners International, to name a few. His membership in the NAWCC included lecturer and leadership status. Crom’s passion for such objects led him on an academic pursuit, which culminated in his authoring six books on the subject.
From Crom’s collection comes two Rose engines including an important example from the shop of A. L. Breguet, Paris and an 18th century brass and iron wheel cutting engine by Thomas Green, Prescott (United Kingdom). Wheel cutting engines, lathes, depthing tools, watch and clock maker’s hand tools and the extensive Crom library with horological titles from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries will also be up for bid. The library includes a copy of Instititutio Astronomica by Pierre Gassendi 1653; Edward Parry’s Journal of a Voyage for the Discovery of a Northwest Passage, 1821; William Derham’s The Artificial Clockmaker, 1714. In addition, this sale will feature the David Evans collection of Liverpool watches, 1785-1850, including a pair of gilt metal pair-cased rack lever watches with complementary dials estimated at $2,500-$3,500 and an extensive collection of American and European clocks and scientific instruments.
Catalog, Lecture. and Preview Information
Previews for the auction will be Thursday, April 29th, 12-5 p.m., Friday, April 30th, 12-7 p.m. and Saturday, May1st, 8-9:30 a.m. Following Friday’s sale preview Mr. Robert Cheney, director of Science, Technology & Clocks at Skinner, will present an illustrated lecture, Fifty Years of Documenting the Trades: The Ted Crom Horological Tool Collection which will share the highlights of the collection and the many academic accomplishments of Dr. Crom.
Illustrated catalog #2502 is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 508-970-3000 x3240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. Prices realized will be available at skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogs, and bid live in real-time through Skinner-Live, Skinner’s live online bidding applet.
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.
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Contacts
- Robert Cheney, Director of Science, Technology & Clocks, 508-970-3244, rcheney@skinnerinc.com
- Catherine Riedel, Director of Marketing, 508-970-3231, criedel@skinnerinc.com
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