A Sketchbook of Inventions, Curiosities, and Lore

Beautifully arranged in an A-Z format, the noted artist Eric Sloane presents this rich and varied collections of American firsts – from the salt box house to basketball, hex signs to ear trumpets, popcorn to rocking chairs. Taking his cue from early Americans' interest in the lore and beauty of the English alphabet, Sloane arranged this beautifully illustrated book in an A-Z format, decorating each page with his own fine hand lettering and including a brief caption to elucidate the origin and use of every subject he pictured.

Format: Soft cover, Dimensions: 8.5 x 11, Pages: 30, Illustrations: 52

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An Age of Barns

An Illustrated Review of Classic Barn Styles & Construction

"An Age of Barns" preserves the heritage handed down to us by those who settled America: dependable, resourceful pioneers who built these amazing barns, often before the family home was finished, and usually with the help of the entire community. These barns are remarkable for the skill with which they were created and the beauty that matches their usefulness. An Age of Barns preserves the heritage handed down to us by the individuals who settled America: dependable, resourceful pioneers who revered excellence above all. While structures erected today rarely outlive their builders, the early Americans created barns so honest and enduring that many still stand after two or three hundred years. This classic folksy history of barn folklore, architecture, and history is filled with thousands of fabulous black-and-white sketches that illustrate all types of American and Canadian barns and everything associated with them. “Those who seek the spirit of America might do well to look first in the countryside, for it was there that the spirit was born.” Often built before the family home was finished, and usually with the help of the entire community, these barns are remarkable for the skill with which they were created and the beauty that matches their usefulness. An Age of Barns preserves the heritage handed down to us by the individuals who settled America: dependable, resourceful pioneers who revered excellence above all. While structures erected today rarely outlive their builders, the early Americans created barns so honest and enduring that many still stand after two or three hundred years. This classic folksy history of barn folklore, architecture, and history is filled with thousands of fabulous black-and-white sketches that illustrate all types of American and Canadian barns and everything associated with them. “Those who seek the spirit of America might do well to look first in the countryside, for it was there that the spirit was born.”

Format: Soft cover, Dimensions: 11 x 9, Pages: 94, Illustrations: 240

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Architectural Ironwork presents over 375 spectacular examples from more that 100 of today's top blacksmiths. Focusing on the renaissance in artistic blacksmithing Meilach presents a vast array of ironwork recently commissioned for contemporary, commercial, and residential buildings, as people become more aware of the versatility of iron today. Architectural Ironwork showcases over 375 spectacular examples of work from more that 100 of today's top blacksmiths, supplemented with historical works from 15 countries.

Format: Hard cover, Dimensions: 11 x 8.5, Pages: 256, Illustrations: 286

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Beautiful Iron: The Pursuit of Excellence

A photographic collection of Whitaker's works with the metal sizes and his shop time listed under each photo. The National Endowment for the Arts awarded Dr. Whitaker a 1997 National Heritage Fellowship in the Traditional Arts.

Format: Spiral bound, Dimensions: 9 x 11, Pages: 185, Illustrations: 180

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The Legacy of Francis Whitaker: Vol I

This is a compendium for blacksmiths at any level to preserve techniques and processes essential for the mastery of all levels of traditional blacksmithing. The beautiful illustrations and clearly demonstrated techniques make this the book to become the standard by which all others will be measured.

Format: Hard cover, Dimensions: 8 x 10, Pages: 157, Illustrations: 800

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Philip Simmons, Blacksmith

A stimulating book for young readers about this amazing African-American craftsman. Simmons is truly a hero and role model. His gates, fences, and railings decorate the city of Charleston, SC where he forged for most of his long life.

Format: Hard cover, Dimensions: 8.5 x 9.25, Pages: 48, Illustrations: 29

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The Work of Philip Simmons

Charleston Blacksmith is a guidebook to the beautiful ironwork of Charleston created by the historic city's best-known blacksmith, Philip Simmons, a "National Treasure"

Format: Soft cover, Dimensions: 8 x 9, Pages: 72, Illustrations: over 100

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