3 comments about American Fancy.

1. From the two color book ribbons sewn into the binding to the heavy duty paper and bright, clear illustrations, this book is almost certainly the best produced new book I have ever seen. I resisted buying it for some months because of the price, but I was wrong to delay. The Chipstone Foundation and the Milwaukee Art Museum, and especially the designer, Wynne Patterson, are to be highly commended for producing a book of the highest quality. That is no small achievement in these pinch-penny days.
   
   Long lost is the fine art of hand-binding books in leather and half-leather, but this book comes as close to the sensual delights of a handmade book of the 18th century as any I have ever seen.
   
   Some of this praise must, of course, be reserved for the author. Some of the sensual delights of this book arise from the integration of black and white advertisements from historical sources, color pictures of painted furniture, close-up images of painted surfaces and ancillary images such as pictures of mocha ware, doll houses, quilts and folk portraits. The conscious effort to vary our range of focus adds a whole new dimension to the experience of reading the book.
   
   I think that Priddy has an esoteric argument to make in his text, and I'm not sure he entirely makes his case. Sometimes, the words fight against the images, but the book is so beguilingly beautiful that the reader is ultimately won over by the sheer fancy imbedded in the effort.
   
   Most of the time, we buy a book for its subject matter and treatment. Here there we have an additional reason. American Fancy is simply one of the finest books made in modern times. It is pure a delight.



2. Disclaimer: I was a lender to the exhibition and objects from my collection are illustrated in this extraordinary book, more than a catalogue of the exhibition. I heard the author, Sumpter Priddy, lecture on his concept of Fancy well over ten years ago and it resonated within me for years afterward. To finally have the expression of that concept so brilliantly realized must be both thrilling and empty-feeling for him. But those who have the book are the beneficiaries of his insight. The book is beautifully illustrated with top-level color photography by Gavin Ashworth of objects from museums and private collections that flesh out Priddy's vision of what constituted Fancy in the 1790-1840 period. The text is accessible and comprehensive while well-presented graphically. My only quibble is that the book's cover doesn't begin to suggest the riches within. In all, an exceptional effort at an extremely attractive price, thanks to the Chipstone Foundation's involvement.



3. American Fancy: Exuberance In The Arts 1790-1840 is a stunning coffee table book focusing upon all forms of physical art - from paintings to furnishings to clocks, glass panels, coffeepots, and much more that could be found American households circa the early 1800's. The full color photographs display a truly remarkable assortment of classic antiques, and the text brings the reader on an in-depth tour of not only the works themselves, but the lives and sweeping historical changes surrounding the men and and women who cherished them. American Fancy is a veritable treasury of vintage creations, many of which were pragmatic as surely as they were beautiful.

1 comments about Price Guide for Miniature Lamps.

1. An excellent source for securing a "real" value for collectible oil lamps. If someone has the number of the lamp from one of the three books, you don't even need the original book to find the value of the lamp.

3 comments about Grinling Gibbons and the Art of Carving.

1. Gorgeous photos, most in color; very readable text. Excellent heavy glossy paper, well done overall, well researched, well written. Super book on an artist who should be far better known than he is; a real genius.



2. Esterly has created scholarly yet engaging study of the life and work of Gibbons, arguably the greatest and most well known master of the art. Esterly delves into the thought processes behind the work of carving and reveals his intimate knowledge of the subject honestly aquired by countless hours at the carver's bench. Historians, woodworkers and art enthusiasts will be find his account of Gibbon's life and work as complete a treatment of the subject as they could hope to find. While there is much carefully explained technical information concerning the mechanics of carving and creating Gibbon's monumental works it is presented with rare clarity and enthusiasm. Any serious carver should own and study this unparalled work.



3. A master of his trade, Grinling Gibbons astounds you with his work. In this latest book on Grinling Gibbons, David Esterly adds something new to the usual discussion. He disects and explains the techniques that Gibbons used to create his work. If you have marveled at Gibbons' work, you won't want to miss this book to have the secrets revealed at last.

3 comments about Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Period Furniture Details.

1. I am surprised at the low book review. This is one of the best teaching books I have read. Lonnie Bird is an artist at conveying woodworking concepts. This is not a step by step how to guide to a completed project. Every detail that is covered is very well covered. I have both of the Lonnie Bird books and believe they complement each other. I highly reccomend this book and this author! If you want a good step by step book on Period Furniture try: Glen Huey's "Building Period Furniture" Both of these books are excellent. See my review under this book on Amazon.I have bought many books that are barely worth taking home. These two books are worth more than they cost! The printing and pictures in This book are superior as are all others I have read by Taunton press.



2. This is a valuable aid in making details. Another reviewer states that 80% of the book is in another book by Bird. This might be a bit of an over statement - no matter if just 20% is new material the book is worth it. I own both of the books he addresses - I noticed the duplication right away. The real question is "will this book make you a better period furniture maker?" I am 57 years old - own every tool required to make period furiture - hold a Masters certification from Marc Adams School of Woodworking - have taken course work with some of the top people in the field - I am now working on a Philidelphia Low Boy and am wooking with Allan Breed (instructor) - and this book is helpful and even insightful. I know at least four of the eighteen of us in class have purchased this book.



3. If you already own Lonnie Bird's Complete Illustrated Guide to Shaping Wood you will be extremely disappointed with this book. It seemed that 80% was duplicate material. The book descriptions says that this book expands on the techniques covered in Shaping Wood. To me, it looked like nothing more than a page for page copy.

2 comments about Measured Drawings of Shaker Furniture and Woodenware.

1. These are all small measured line drawings/tight sketches that show a wide variety or Shaker built furnishings with their basic dimensions.
   Only the major forms are shown with different views and details where helpful.

   I 've found them useful in replication of actual furniture as well as duplication of patterns that I can apply which are Shaker inspired.
   I own the entire set of 3 and often refer to them when I want to duplicate patterns of drawers or doors and proportions for built-ins, as well as recreate individual pieces of furniture.




2. As a master woodworker, I've used this book many times as an aid to create several wooden Shaker replicas in my shop. It contains details and accurately scaled drawings, given in inches (rather than metric). For a drawing book it is very good, but the book could be larger. No construction or technique is given, as the book is intended for layout and graphics. The book is really one book in a set of three.

1 comments about Oil Lamps 3 : Victorian Kerosene Lighting 1860-1900.

1. This is the third book by Catherine Thuro on the subject of kerosene oil lighting and lamps. This book is as informative and useful as were her other two books. As an avid collector of whale oil and Kerosene oil antique lamps and lighting, I feel her books are one of the best reference sources available. I highly recommend this book to anyone who embraces the passion of collecting antique lighting!

No comments about Danish Modern And Beyond: Scandinavian Inspired Furniture From Heywood-wakefield (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1 comments about Furniture Made in America: 1875-1905 (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This book provides an extensive pictorial description of each piece of furniture shown from this period with an accompanying detailed caption describing the furniture in great detail including the different woods available for that particular piece. Many of these pictorial descriptions are copies of the original advertisements,making them very authentic. It is a must for every collector of furniture from this period!

5 comments about Bringing It Home: England: The Ultimate Guide to Creating the Feeling of England in Your Home (Bringing It Home).

1. This is a very TRADITIONAL (and Classical) English decorating book. It is not an "how-to" book at all, but rather, a visual journey throughout homes that are all decorated in the "Traditional" and/or "Classic" English style (in other words: this book is not about "modern" English decorating at all).
   
   I own two other books by this outstanding author (Cheryl MacLachlan) and she always does such a nice job at taking readers into the world of European decorating, by showing a variety of homes in the various styles... as stated in the book's title.
   
   If you own any of the Henrietta Churchill's books (ie: her books on decorating a 'la "English classical style") then you are probably familiar with Classical/Traditional English decorating. If not, browse through this book and/or Henrietta's many decorating books, and you will understand the English "classical" style a bit better.
   
   One difference: The homes in this MacLachlan book are homes that are probably owned by middle-class English families, and are NOT owned by upper-class English families , --- such as all of Henrietta's books show. Therefore, if you want to decorate your home in English style, then this MacLachlan book is more doable & relavent to you. Personally, I like both author's books (MacLachlan's and Churchill's books) because together they show all the possibilities when incorporating Classical English decorating in your current home(s).



2. A warm and wonderful volume for any hopeless Anglophile. Great gift.



3. Author Cheryl MacLachlan writes "...'English style' refers to the unique constellation of elements - homegrown and foreign - that the English have taken as their own". This book shows you how to create a beautiful, charming English atmosphere in your home, and in your life.

   My bedtime ritual now includes sitting down with a steaming cup of tea while browsing through every page of this book. After collecting and borrowing dozens of books on this topic, I find this one to be the most comprehensive and inspiring resource for the lover of anything English.

   "Like a house, Bringing It Home - England is divided into rooms"...The book's chapters cover the following topics:

   (1) The Substance of the English Style: common threads that unite all English homes, walls, motifs, graphics and everything out of the ordinary

   (2) The Living Room: how to arrange furniture, select fabrics, and my favorite topic: how to create the look of a traditional English drawing room

   (3) The Bedroom: creating a "cozy sanctuary", creating the romantic look (I can attest to the fact that her advice in this section works beautifully!), how to create the English look in your bath, and there is even a section on creating the look in a nursery!

   (4) The Dining Room: special emphasis on creating a "tailored, handsome" look. Includes information on English china, porcelain and crystal. There is even a guide to selecting tables and chairs.

   (5) The Garden: No book about English style would be complete without information on creating a traditional English garden. Includes a primer on the art of flower arrangement.

   )6) The Kitchen: The floors, cabines, furnishings and "cooker" are all covered in this section as well as my very favorite subject on the pleasure of "taking tea". Oh, life is grand!!!!

   (7) A Resource section which includes information on all the "English-style" essentials and where to find them. Includes a reading list and travel ideas.

   The information is practical and inspiring, as are the beautiful photographs. I feel this is the best book on this topic anywhere.

   5 Stars. Enjoy.




4. Being a lover of all things English, I have several books and this is the very best of all. This book is chock full of information on how to achieve the style, what makes it "English" and the photographs are fabulous. I have never read a book of this style that had so much research that went into it. I also enjoyed several receipes that were included and the section that dealt with the meaning of words and how Americans and British differ in their usage.



5. I like this book because it addresses a diverse range of topics on how to achieve the English style. It describes the origin of each decorating tradition, offering an explanation or rationale for why something is characterized as "English," rather than just laying out a blueprint to follow. I also liked that cooking was incorporated into the book, and several appealing photos of food and recipes are provided.

2 comments about Classic Wicker Furniture.

1. This is a copy of a catalog full of wicker furniture. If that is what your looking for then by all means get a copy and enjoy all the B/W illustrations of some very finely crafted wicker.



2. I was given a copy of this book many years ago my by Mother-in-Law, who was the one that started me on my career of wicker restoration and seat weaving.

   Over the years, I have restored many chairs that were listed in this book. I used the Heywood Brothers manufacturer's catalog as a guide for repairing chairs and could visualize what the weave was to be, if some of it was missing from the chair I was working on, because of the excellent line drawings. It was also fun to see what names they assigned to each particular piece of furniture.

   Through the use of this book, I was also able to date the wicker pieces that I repaired and in so doing, was able to give my customer a bit of historical information, which they truely loved.

   My original copy is very dog-eared and worn, so I will probably buy a new copy soon! Kudos to Richard Saunders for compiling all this information and doing so much research to enable the book to be on the market.