CUMMING, Alexander (1732-1814). The Elements of Clock and Watch-Work, adapted to Practice. London: Printed for the author, 1766. Quarto. (10 x 8 1/4 inches). [8], 192, [16]pp. 16 engraved folding plates. Scattered minor foxing. Errata leaf loosely inserted. Contemporary calf, spine with raised bands, red morocco lettering piece, neat repairs to spine. An excellent treatise on clockwork, in two essays, first edition. Alexander Cumming, born in Edinburgh around 1732, was one of the most celebrated watchmakers of the 18th century who is credited with making significant improvements in clock and watch work. He ran a successful watchmaking business located on Bond Street in London and had the prestige of creating custom pieces for King George III, among them a barometer clock which measures the weather every day of the year and which now stands in Buckingham Palace. Cumming was also a mathematician and was honored with a Royal Society fellowship for his mathematical research.Among the books he published in mechanical studies, this remains one of the most influential in the field of horology for its time. ESTC T140747.