Colonial Craftsmen

By Edwin Tunis

Book Overview

The vanished ways of colonial America's skilled craftsmen are vividly reconstructed in this superb book by Edwin Tunis. With incomparable wit and learning, and in over 450 meticulous drawings, the author describes the working methods and products, houses and shops, town and country trades, and individual and group enterprises by which the early Americans forged the economy of the New World.

In the tiny coastal settlements, which usually sprang up around a mill or near a tanyard, the first craftsmen set up their trades. The blacksmith, cooper, joiner, weaver, cordwainer, and housewright, working alone or with several assistants, invented their own tools and devised their own methods. Soon they were making products that far surpassed their early models: the American ax was so popular that English ironmongers often labeled their own axes American to sell them more readily. In the town squares a colonist could have his bread baked to order, bring in his wig to be curled, have his eyeglasses ground, his medicine prescription filled, or buy snuff for his many pocket boxes. With the thriving trade in bespoke or made-to-order work, fine American styles evolved; many of these are priceless heirlooms now--the silverware of Paul Revere and John Coney, redware and Queensware pottery, Poyntell hand-blocked wallpaper, the Kentucky rifle, Conestoga wagon, and the iron grillework still seen in some parts of the South. The author discusses in detail many of the trades which have since developed into important industries, like papermaking, glassmaking, shipbuilding, printing, and metalworking, often reconstructing from his own careful research the complex equipment used in these enterprises.

The ingenious, liberty-loving artisans left few written records of their work, and only Mr. Tunis, with his painstaking attention to authentic detail and his vast knowledge, could present such a complete treasury of the way things were done before machines obliterated this phase of early American life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801862280
• ISBN13: 9780801862281
• Release Date: July 1999
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.6" x 11.0"
• Age Range: 10 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 8

Customer Reviews

For the history buff; genealogy researcher in this era; student, & the person who loves detailed p

I now own three of Edwin Tunis' books. The drawings are wonderful -- detailed. The writing clear, concise. I can pick up this book and go to ANY page and start reading. You can read it from cover to cover too. I'm sorry this author is no longer with us ... I'm hoping to have all of his books in my personal library.

A how-to-do-it book of Colonial trades

During the past years, I have extensively studied the Colonial period in Amrerican history. I devoured all the material I could find on the subject but, as of yet, have found no other book that can compare to this one. It brims with information, much of which could be practically applied, if one so chose. Colonial Craftsmen takes a deep look at each trade of this era, and developes a strong history behind each, as well. We come face to face with Paul Revere as he is casting bells, and watch with suspense as Samuel Casey disapears from history after committing a serious crime. During all of this, we also learn these men's trades. We cast a silver tankard, shape a Windsor chair, and pump our bellows under the chestnut tree with "smithy". If anyone is interested in "common man" kind of history, then this book is for him. I find it especially delightful that as I read, I can relate to what I would be doing in that time. A must read for all history enthusiasts from eight to eighty.

An Exploration of Colonial Material Culture

Most of us have no idea of how the objects we use on a daily basis were made. In Colonial times, people were much closer to the processes and people that produced their consumer goods. In "Colonial Craftsmen", the noted illustrator Edwin Tunis has produced a beautiful book that explores the techniques used by early American craftsmen. If you were ever curious about how candles were made or shoes sewn in the Eighteenth Century, this is the book for you. Edwin Tunis was one of the great author/illustrators of young adult non-fiction. "Colonial Craftsmen" is brimming over with beautifully intricate pencil drawings. This is the type of fascinating book, in which a young person can lose themselves. Along the same lines, the other great author/illustrator of American material culture is Eric Sloane. Any book by these two prodigies will be loved by all those with an interest in American history and its material manefestations.

Insightful peek at pre-industrial America

An insightful peek at pre-indistrial America for the age of industry when everything was still made by hand. Insightful, well illustrated, very informative. A must have for anyone interested in the period.

Classic history/reference book

A wonderful history/reference book for those interested in colonial era crafts as well as the artist/craftsman looking for vintage design styles and techniques. If possible, get the early hardbound edition that includes elements deleted in later softcover printings.