Área de identidad
Código de referencia
Título
Fecha(s)
- 1930–1973 (Creación)
Nivel de descripción
Volumen y soporte
110 files in 2 boxes and plan folders (0.5 linear metres)
Área de contexto
Nombre del productor
Historia biográfica
Philip Thornton (1901–1975), born in Great Haywood, Stafford, was a horologist and a manufacturer of milling cutters for clock wheels and pinions. He was also an accomplished clock maker, designer and engraver. In the 1930s and 1940s he was engaged mainly in clock making and restoration, becoming an expert at the repeating mechanisms used by Tompion and his contemporaries. He made striking longcase clocks in Knibb’s style, and after the Second World War, in collaboration with Frodsham & Company, he made hump back carriage clocks with perpetual calendar in the style of Breguet, the first of which was presented to HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. His last creation was a Roman numeral striking clock, intended to be the first of a new series.
Institución archivística
Historia archivística
These records were created and assembled by the horologist Philip Thornton. They were acquired by Rodney Law after Thornton’s death in 1975, when Law and David Burton took over Thornton’s business. On Law’s death in 2021, his papers were inherited by Michael Wright, who donated them to the AHS.
Origen del ingreso o transferencia
Donated to the AHS by Michael Wright in 2021.
Área de contenido y estructura
Alcance y contenido
This collection comprises Philip Thornton’s reports, notes, sketches and tracings which document the repairs and restorations of mainly bracket clocks, carried out by him primarily in the 1930s and 1940s, with a few later instances. Most papers record the date of restoration and the name of the client. The files vary in size and content from single pieces of scrap paper to more comprehensive bundles containing condition reports and detailed large-format drawings. Many of the papers are in very fragile condition.
Valorización, destrucción y programación
Acumulaciones
Philip Thornton’s archive has been fully catalogued and no further deposits are expected.
Sistema de arreglo
The Thornton collection was originally deposited as one box of loose papers, grouped into numbered bundles relating to individual clocks and arranged mostly chronologically. This arrangement has been retained, with the original numbering preserved in the file reference numbers. Some file numbers have not been deposited. In the few cases were no original numbering was present, the files have been given alphabetical references. The collection is arranged into one series.
THO/01: Clock repair files
Área de condiciones de acceso y uso
Condiciones de acceso
These records are mostly available for public access by prior appointment. Records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 2018.
Condiciones
Idioma del material
Escritura del material
Notas sobre las lenguas y escrituras
English
Características físicas y requisitos técnicos
Many papers are in fragile condition.
Instrumentos de descripción
instrumento de descripción generado
Área de materiales relacionados
Existencia y localización de originales
Existencia y localización de copias
Unidades de descripción relacionadas
Área de notas
Identificador/es alternativo(os)
Puntos de acceso
Puntos de acceso por materia
Puntos de acceso por lugar
Puntos de acceso por autoridad
Tipo de puntos de acceso
Área de control de la descripción
Identificador de la descripción
Identificador de la institución
Reglas y/o convenciones usadas
Estado de elaboración
Nivel de detalle
Fechas de creación revisión eliminación
Idioma(s)
Escritura(s)
Fuentes
Nota del archivista
Catalogued in May 2024 by the AHS Archivist.