Antiquarian Horological Society

Antiquarian Horological Society , abbreviated as AHS, is the British organization of scholars and enthusiasts of horology.

The association was founded in 1953 and unites collectors, scholars and museum professionals interested in the historical aspects of horology – the study of the art, science and technology of timekeepers, such as clocks and watches. Meetings of the association are held periodically, primarily in London. Meetings may also be multi-day seminars, held in a number of locations such as Oxford. The usual focus is on the presentation of papers on horological subjects. Some meetings involve visits to museums, restoration workshops or private collections. Once a year the organization also organizes an international study tour, travelling to a foreign locale to study historic horological artefacts.

"Antiquarian Horology", or more formally "Antiquarian Horology & the Proceedings of the Antiquarian Horological Society" is the name of their quarterly journal, a glossy, scholarly publication available only to members.

The association also publishes books on horological subjects, which are available to the public.

The association maintains a horological library, which is functionally integrated with the library of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers at Guildhall, London.

Besides the main body that meets in London, there also are numerous "Sections", most of them regional groups of members spread throughout the United Kingdom, plus five international sections (Ireland, USA, Canada, Netherlands) and two special interest sections with interests in turret clocks and electrical horology. Sections may hold their own meetings and in some cases publish members' newsletters or organize horological study tours.

The administrative office of AHS is located in Ticehurst, UK

Its main sister organizations in other countries pursuing similar goals are:

* "Association Française des Amateurs d'Horlogerie Ancienne" - AFAHA (France)
* "Chronometrophilia (Switzerland)
* "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chronometrie" - DGC (Germany)
* "HORA Associazione Italiana Cultori di Orologeria Antica" (Italy)
* "National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors" - NAWCC (United States of America)

External links

* [http://www.ahsoc.demon.co.uk/ Antiquarian Horological Society Website]

Further reading

(Irish section)
Gannon, Charles: Cathal Gannon - The Life and Times of a Dublin Craftsman (Lilliput Press). [http://homepage.eircom.net/~cathalgannon]