Historic Rock Ford welcomes Bob Frishman as he presents “Edward Duffield: Philadelphia Clockmaker, Citizen, Gentleman 1730-1803” on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 2 PM in the Langmuir Education Room located on the first floor of the Rock Ford Barn, 881 Rockford Road, Lancaster, PA.
Frishman will present an informative historical overview on Edward Duffield, who was far more than a clockmaker in 18th century Philadelphia. A wealthy property owner and active civic and Anglican Church leader, Duffield nonetheless made, repaired, and sold elegant floor-standing clocks, surveying instruments, and sundials that today are in museums and private collections. He was also a life-long friend of Benjamin Franklin and served as executor of Franklin’s estate. Frishman’s presentation will be supplemented with over 100 images from his newly released comprehensive biography of Duffield which addresses all aspects of the clockmaker’s life as well as the practice of clockmaking in Colonial America.
After his presentation, Frishman will have a Q&A session and also have copies of his book available for purchase and signing.
This presentation is free, but all guests must register through Yapsody.
Read the "Antiques and The Arts Weekly" article
BIOGRAPHY: Bob Frishman was introduced to horology on Thanksgiving Day, 1980, when he was invited into the overflowing basement of a collector and dealer of antique clocks and watches. Had Bob not gone down those stairs, this book would not have been written.
Nor would Bob’s other horological achievements have happened during the past four decades: eight thousand mechanical clocks repaired; two thousand antique clocks and watches restored and sold; hundred-plus articles and reviews published; hundred-plus lectures delivered; symposia created at the Winterthur Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Henry Ford Museum, the Museum of the American Revolution, and the Horological Society of New York.
Bob is a Silver Star Fellow of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, and a Liveryman of London’s Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. As a dedicated supporter of other venerable cultural institutions, he is Proprietor Number 28 of the Boston Athenaeum, holder of Share 8 of the Library Company of Philadelphia, an active member of the American Antiquarian Society and the Grolier Club.
He continues to operate Bell-Time Clocks in Andover, Massachusetts, where he lives with his wife, author Jeanne Schinto. Much more about him is at www.bell-time.com.