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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The Blacksmith

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

Format: Soft cover, Dimensions: 8.25 x 10.75, Pages: 32, Illustrations: 67

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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: Soft Cover, Dimensions: 8 x 9, Pages: 135, Illustrations: 305

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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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This book reviews issues of studio safety and discusses ways of recognizing risks in the studio.

Format: Soft cover, Dimensions: 8.5 x 11, Pages: 224, Illustrations: All text.

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Myth and Reality 1450-1650

This scholarly significant, popularly written, and beautifully illustrated work explores the multiple rolls of arms and armor in the Renaissance and Baroque societies. During the period between 1450-1650, gunpowder weapons and new military technologies gradually extinguished the need for knights in shining armor on the battlefield. In this period, unsurpassed production of elaborate, richly decorated, and superbly crafted suits of armor became a symbol of status and was worn increasingly for ceremonial purposes and adopted into everyday life and dress.

Format: Hard cover, Dimensions: 11.5 x 10.75, Pages: 84, Illustrations: 111

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