Wednesday 21 March 2012

The Woodworker and Art Craftsman

My wife's 30th birthday today so as a treat I took the day off and we went to the other side of the county to look at books in Hay-On-Wye.
We both love books so this is a perfect day out for us, topped off with a pub lunch and cakes by the river in the sunshine.

I did manage to buy a few nice books, two carpentry and joinery books that were from the old city and guilds carpentry course (I know this as the man I did my apprenticeship with lent them to me many years ago). As well as this a rather nice "The Woodworker" annual from 1915 for £6.

Lots of interesting projects and write ups to read. In fact its just interesting see the kind of projects they were doing then and the techniques they were using - A lot less screws and nails and a lot more joints.
A selection of projects include:
  • A Handsome Window Jardiniere
  • Garden Seats Of Roman Design
  • Smoker's Cabinet
  • Parlour Cabinet Bookcase
  • A Household Cycle Stand
And many more gems. Also some good how-to articles on woodcarving.
I'll enjoy reading this!

4 comments:

  1. Wow, what a find. 1915
    The only old books I have are Audel's carpenters and builder's guides printed in 1923.
    The introduction:
    When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, "See! This our father did for us." - John Ruskin.
    Oh how things have changed. Carpenters however do still have a bit of that ancient appreciation within them, don't they?
    Enjoy your find, sent with blessings, Geoff.

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  2. Cheers Geoff, I thought it was quite a find, and I have a deep appreciation of the old ways so love reading about it! I'll be looking out for more of these in bookshops and carboot sales now!

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  3. In my pile of 'to sell on ebay for me' from a friend is a great Woodworking book from 1915! I don't want to sell it. What a gem. Friend said he got it from a deceased estate. I reckon I ought to give some of the things a go!

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    Replies
    1. Yeah there's always some intersting things in those old books. There's a great puzzle in this one that I'd like to make if I ever get time! I've had a look at your blog and I'm loving the renovation! You guys have such a different way of building things over there!

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