Seth Thomas Clocks and Movements by Tran Duy Ly Third Edition, Volume 1 Published 2004 by Arlington Book Company, Inc. 215 Shadowood Drive - Johnson City - Tennessee 37604 USA Phone:  423-283-9004  - Fax:  423-283-9001 Email:  tranduyly@aol.com
576 pages - 8 1/2 x 11 - Over 1888 quality illustrations and photographs. Smyth sewn hardbound, with 2005 Price Up-date, $79.50.

INTRODUCTION By Richard W. Oliver, Jr. "The Clock Guy"

    It’s Finally Here!  When we opened our draft copy of Tran Duy Ly’s Third Edition of Seth Thomas Clocks and Movements, Volume 1, 3rd edition, it was instantly clear he had another best-seller on his hands and that we were going to see some clocks we’d not seen before.  With the value of Seth Thomas clocks increasing more rapidly than any other maker in the past several years, this book is a mandatory investment for all serious American clock collectors.

    Our Second Edition copy is the most frequently referenced clock book we own. It’s simply the most definitive work on Seth Thomas ever published… until now.  (If "true confessions" are in order, we’ve also rubbed our hands together on more than one occasion when we’ve seen copies of our high-demand, out-of-print Second Edition sell on the internet for $350.  That’s a 700% return-on-investment on the paper – let alone the content – in a six-year period of time!)

    Invaluable!  When we began ClockGuy.com in 1998 it was immediately apparent we could not run a major antique clock brokerage without owning every one of Tran Duy Ly’s books.  Couldn’t be done.  Period.  That invaluable investment has paid for itself over and over again.  In our listings we always refer others to "the source," Tran Duy Ly, to begin or complete their horological library.  That’s just good citizenship!

    What Others Say:  Pennsylvania clock dealer Ken Markley says it eloquently, "Tran’s publications have shaped the course of clock-collecting throughout the world.  He is a brilliant and resourceful person whose commitment to horological documentation and appraisal are immeasurable."  Recently, a major Midwest collector bought a whopping four Walter Durfee tallcase clocks.  He commented at the time, "If the clock isn’t in Tran’s books, I’m not going to buy it."

    New Hampshire clock auctioneer Bob Schmitt tells this story:  "Tran Duy Ly came from Viet Nam 40 years ago.  On a bus during his first day here, he stepped on a lady’s foot and said, "Thank you" instead of, "I’m sorry!"  Now he’s the King of Clock Books."  What a country.  What an American success story where the effort of one man can make such a useful contribution to so many!   

    Like No Other:  Webster uses the terms importance and merit to define "worth."  Tran Duy Ly’s contribution to horology Americana is both important and meritorious.  For anyone interested in American clocks, Tran’s books meticulously document the life and work of numerous clockmakers and their enterprises.  Each volume tracks the ascent of the maker to marketplace prominence (and often descent from), setting the stage for the reader to enjoy literally hundreds of subsequent pages of photos of preserved clocks and original catalogue drawings, along with sound, friendly advice that serious collectors will wish they’d read before purchasing their first "beginner clock."  A detailed index by physical category, then model name or number makes lookup simple and quick.  We’re convinced when you pore through this new volume, you’ll agree that straightforward and genius are to Tran Duy Ly as importance and merit are to "worth"!

    Pricing Guides:  Though any antiquity is only worth what a cash-bearing buyer is willing to pay for it on any given day, Tran’s periodically updated Price Guides offer sound guidance based on recent prices paid, with feedback provided by major dealers across the country.  Price Guides remind me of the North Star.  We may never reach it, but it’s always there as a consistent, reliable guide.  We always recommend purchasing Tran’s updated Price Guides.  More than anyone we know, he has his ear to the ground and hand on the pulse of antique clocks in North America.

    Seth Thomas 3rd Edition... At Last!  Happy reading, pondering, decision-making… and investing!
                                 
                                                                                                           RICHARD W. OLIVER, Jr.
                                                                                                                          NAWCC #35749
                                                                                                                       www.clockguy.com