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: Softcover.   Dimensions: 8 1/2" x 11"    Pages: 30    Illustrations: 52

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: Softcover.   Dimensions: 11" x 9"   Pages: 94   Illustrations: 240

The Art of Blacksmithing

Revised edition

This unique book covers every aspect of this fascinating art, the fundamental craft on which the civilization of the Iron Age was built. It describes and illustrates the equipment and the techniques developed in more that six thousand years of working iron by hand. It reflects respect for the specialized skills of the smith and the excitement of the village smithy, which so recently disappeared from the Western world.

Format: Hardcover.   Dimensions: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"   Pages: 438   Illustrations: over 500

The Blacksmith and his Art 

 King of the Crafts

This is the story of blacksmithing. It deals in detail with the eight basic operations of smithing and how one may today apply those centuries old pioneer methods in forging new treasures for future generations. A great introduction for young readers.

Format: Softcover.   Dimensions: 8 12" x 11"   Pages: 176   Illustrations: 298

A Primer of Tools & Methods

A step-by-step guide to building a simple forge, crafting the basic tools, and learning the techniques to get started in blacksmithing. Easy to follow photos.

Format: Hardcover.   Dimensions: 7" x 9"   Pages: 248   Illustrations: over 200

The Blacksmith

A young peoples guide to the world of blacksmithing during the Colonial Period including details of the forge, tools for farm and homestead and the life of an apprentice.

Format: Softcover.   Dimensions: 8 1/4" x 10 3/4"   Pages: 32   Illustrations: 67

Basics for the Homestead

Joe DeLaRonde is a master blacksmith. He started his blacksmithing career 35 years ago as an apprentice under a master German blacksmith. His works are in use around the globe by military personnel and living history enthusiasts, as well as in private collections and museums in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.Through detailed but easy-to-understand instructions, illustrations, and photographs, he teaches the basic skills of forging. Here is all the information you need to create artistic yet functional iron hardware and accoutrements for home or ranch, including: pokers, shovels, tongs, hooks, camp sets, forks, spoons/spatulas, skewers, nails, hinges, latches, drawer pulls, coat hooks, towel bars, candle holders, brooms, hoes, crowbars, awls, screwdrivers, chain links, chisels, hammers, adzes, axes and knives. DeLaRonde continues to work in his shop in Mancos, Colorado.and Europe.Through detailed but easy-to-understand instructions, illustrations, and photographs, he teaches the basic skills of forging. Here is all the information you need to create artistic yet functional iron hardware and accoutrements for home or ranch, including: pokers, shovels, tongs, hooks, camp sets, forks, spoons/spatulas, skewers, nails, hinges, latches, drawer pulls, coat hooks, towel bars, candle holders, brooms, hoes, crowbars, awls, screwdrivers, chain links, chisels, hammers, adzes, axes and knives. DeLaRonde continues to work in his shop in Mancos, Colorado, producing some of the finest tomahawks, axes, and knives available on the market today.

Format: Softcover.   Dimensions: 8" x 9"   Pages: 135   Illustrations: 305