"English joiner John Head (1688–1754) immigrated to Philadelphia in 1717 and became one of its most successful artisans and merchants. However, his prominence was lost to history until the author’s discovery of his account book at the Library of the American Philosophical Society. A find of great historical importance, Head’s account book is the earliest and most complete to have survived from any cabinetmaker working in British North America or in Great Britain. It chronicles the commerce, crafts, and lifestyles of early Philadelphia’s entire community: its shopkeeping, cabinetmaking, chairmaking, clockmaking, glazing, metalworking, needleworking, property development, agriculture, botany, livestock, transport, foodstuffs, drink, hardware, fabrics, furnishings, household wares, clothing, building materials, and export trade. Jay Robert Stiefel, historian of Colonial Philadelphia society and its material culture, presents the definitive interpretation of the John Head account book and introduces many other discoveries. The culmination of nearly 20 years of research, this new volume serves as an essential reference work on 18th-century Philadelphia, its furniture and material culture, as well as an intimate and detailed social history of the interactions among that era’s most talented artisans and successful merchants. Profusely illustrated and in large format, the book includes a foreword from furniture historian Adam Bowett and an introduction by historian Patrick Spero, Librarian and Director of the American Philosophical Society Library" -- Provided by publisher.

Magnificent reproduction of 1788 folio of Hepplewhite furnishings. Classic, highly valued work depicts chairs, stools, sofas, sideboards, beds, pedestals, desks, bookcases, tables, chests of drawers, wardrobes, fire screens, and many other items. 128 plates.

The most complete visual guide to furniture construction ever published! Includes hundreds of clearly-labeled drawings and exploded diagrams that explain everything there is to know about joints, subassemblies and furniture design.

The One Book Every Cabinetmaker Needs to Own Build any cabinet imaginable, in any size, and with lightning speed. All you need are common workshop tools, a sheet of plywood and this ingenious book. The Complete Cabinetmaker's Reference is the Rosetta Stone of the woodworking world. Its worksheets unlock the secrets of efficient case construction because author Jeffrey Piontkowski has done all the hard work for you. He shows you in just five easy steps how to build any one of 23 cabinet styles - from simple base cabinets to pantry cabinets to file cabinets: Pick the style and size cabinet you need and flip to that page. Cut your pieces to size using the cutting list and the plywood optimization charts that show you how to waste as little material as possible. Cut all the dadoes and grooves shown on the 3D exploded drawings. Assemble your cabinet using the step-by-step photos as a guide. Build any doors and drawers using the book's detailed and exact instructions. If you're a beginner, this book lets you build cabinets like a pro. If you're a pro, this book lets you build cabinets faster than ever and expands the range of what you can offer your clients.

Elfe was among the first of the great American furniture makers. Craftsmen love this book for the easy-to-follow patterns; collectors of southern antiques value it for reference.

Cabinetmaking at the highest level is an art, a discipline, a philosophy--even a way of life--in addition to being a useful craft. In this book one of the greatest living cabinetmakers reflects on the deeper meanings of his craft and explains for less accomplished workers how the right attitudes toward materials, tools, and time can increase the joys of this complex activity. Craftspeople in every medium will be inspired by this account of getting started and developing habits that lessen the difficulties of a complex craft.