The front cover features the great chamber clock made by Nicholas Vallin in 1598. This clock, perhaps more than any other, is regarded as the precursor to the English lantern clock of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

The Editor's comment, titled 'AHS Publications' draws attention the Society's efforts to publish 'non-commercial' specialist horological books.

The issue contains five major and well illustrated articles.

A very early pendulum clock owned by the Danish Astronomer Ole Rømer (1644-1710) is described by Reinier Plomp. Although the clock bears a resemblance to the first Dutch pendulum clocks it is unsigned and may have been of German origin.

'The Sing-song Trade Exporting Clocks to China in the Eighteenth Century' by Roger Smith considers the export trade of clocks and watches from Europe to the far east (particularly Britain to China). The paper extends to 30 pages and includes 27 colour illustrations of the amazing clocks and watches involved. The paper was originally given as the 18th Dingwall-Beloe lecture at the British Museum in January 2007.

In this year of 'Liverpool Capital of Culture' Frances Tennant, the well known-dial restorer writes on 'The Longcase Painted Dial in Liverpool'.

In 'Two Renaissance Clocks Punchmarked PP' Michael Hurst compares two similar table clocks of German origin from the second half of the sixteenth century.

The final article by Clive Ponsford, the second in his lists of the wills of clock and watchmakers proved in the London based Prerogative Court of Canterbury, includes the will of John Harrison. These wills can now be obtained on-line from the National Archives.  This article, the second of several, provides a great starting point for those researching individual clock and watchmakers.

The Picture Gallery features the Nicholas Vallin chamber clock shown on the front cover. The history of the clock from its discovery in the 1930s and an account of the movement is included. The second item in the Picture Gallery is the recently discovered portrait of the watchmaker Peter Litherland.

The issue totals 148 pages, illustrated in full colour and is completed by the regular sections covering Horological News, AHS programme, news and meeting reports, Book Reviews, Letters to the Editor and For Your Further Reading.