[xoxoxoBruce]

The Memorandum Clock, a handsome object from the late 1880s. “The photograph in the book
doesn’t really do it justice,” Collins says of what appears to be a column-flanked mantel clock
with a lidded kylix on top, all made out of fine hardwood. In fact, the photo at the top of
this page is not in the book at all, but Collins agreed to share it with us since it reveals the
interior of what is essentially a very elegant time clock.

“Let’s say you had an appointment with your solicitor,” Collins says, using the U.K. term for attorney.
“You would go into his office and write your name on small piece of imitation ivory, probably bone.
You’d place this time card in a slot, and at the end of your hour, the card would pop out the
other end and a bell would ring.

People say these were also used in houses of ill repute,” he adds. “Either way, at the end of
your hour, you would have gotten screwed.”

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