BOSTON - Skinner Inc. has announced it will host its annual sale of science and technology antiques, clocks and toys on Saturday, July 25 at the company's new gallery in suburban Marlborough, Massachusetts. Real-time Internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.

This edition of Skinner's Science, Technology & Clocks auction features the most comprehensive collection of scientific instruments to come to market in a long time. From a private collection, offerings include several important pairs of globes by Newton: 18-inch library globes, lot 325, est. $30/40,000; 12-inch Regency library globes, lot 336, est. $15/20,000; and 3-inch table globes, lot 337, est. $8/12,000. The category also features a sextant by Ramsden (lot 350, est. $4/6,000) and an octant by Thomas Biggs (lot 364, est. $2,5/3,500). Other important lots consist of equinoctial dials, astrolabes, chronometers, microscopes and nautical antiques.

In addition, about 100 American and European clocks will be sold, including a 10-tune musical long-case clock by Joseph Eayre (lot 245, est. $8/12,000), a month-duration, quarter-chiming long-case clock by Thomas Hackney (lot 247, est. $15/20,000), and a rare Rolex triple-date chronograph "Jean Claude Killy" Ref. 6036 wristwatch (lot 96, est. $50/80,000).

Other timepieces include bracket clocks, technical pocket watches, ship's bell clocks by Chelsea, and marine chronometers. Topping the clock offerings is an important floor-standing astronomical regulator made by E. Howard, Boston (lot 200, est. $175/200,000), which will be sold for the first time since it was purchased new, in 1867.

Mechanical music will be represented with a strong collection of cylinder and disc musical boxes including a L'Epee four-overture box no. 16031 (lot 379, est. $12/15,000), an Organocleide box (lot 374, est. $8/12,000) and disc boxes by New Century and Synphonium.

A special category comprises more than 80 lots of militaria, including pistols, muskets, bayonets, swords and sabers.

Toys and Dolls round out the sale, with a special highlight being a Bru Jne 3 Bébé with Chevrot body (lot 659, est. $10/15,000). Also to be offered are a Tuck comb Grodnerthal peddler doll (lot 531, est. $2,5/3,500) and a Kestner bisque child doll (lot 681, est. $3/4,000). Steiff bears will also be offered, including golden mohair teddies (lot 712, est. $2/3,000; lot 603, est. $2,5/$3,500; and lot 606, est. $1,5/2,000).

Special Event:

An illustrated lecture titled "From the Sublime to the Absurd: Collecting Science, Technology & Clocks" will be presented by Robert C. Cheney, Skinner's Director of Science, Technology & Clocks on Friday, July 24 at 7 p.m. RSVP by calling 508-970-3000.

For information on any lot in the sale, call 617-350-5400. Visit the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet on auction day through www.LiveAuctioneers.com.