The Cooper and His Trade

By Kenneth Kilby

Book Overview

A history of barrelmaking and the various types of coopers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0941936163
• ISBN13: 9780941936163
• Release Date: April 1990
• Publisher: Linden Publishing
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Kilby Keeps the Trade of Coopering Alive

Mr. Kilby has written an important book on coopering that will have a lasting effect on keeping the traditional trade of coopering alive. This book details the history of coopering from its origins to it's 20th century state. Although it primarily focuses on the English coopering tradition, other sections of the book are very useful to anyone wishing to learn about coopering. The list of tools and there uses is a key section of this text. The tables of barrel dimensions and volumns is another key section of this book. The sizes given are historical sizes that museums would find very useful. Kilby also explains the process of how to build a barrel. Although he attempts to do this in detail with photographs and drawings, the new cooper would not be able to use this section as a "how to section". More detail is needed with regards to the jointing of barrel staves, a critical part of the barrel building process. As a practicioner of 19th century coopering, teacher and historian, I give Kilby's book top marks.Dan Zaroski, B.A.,B.Ed.,M.Ed.