From Book News, Inc.
Presenting a "sort of tool museum in print," the California author of The Art of Fine Tools (1998) and a former editor of Fine Woodworking magazine traces collectible tools from Stone Age axes and vintage iron handplanes to computer-aided miniatures. What collectors and craftsmen (and women) will especially relish are Nagyszlanczy's many color photographs of these often highly decorative tools and their maker's unique logos. Lacks references and resources.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Book Description
Over the centuries, craftsmen have transformed humble objects-drills, saws, planes, and levels-into works of art. This new title expands on Sandor Nagyszalanczy's acclaimed The Art of Fine Tools by offering a world tour of objects that rarely leave the private vaults of collectors. A visual feast of the finest and most beautifully crafted vintage tools ever made, Tools offers engaging facts about their history, function, and manufacture. Collectors and craftsmen will relish the depth of historical and technical information that accompanies each of the over 400 color photographs. Anyone who has ever held a hammer or a saw will marvel at these masterpieces of art and utility.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Craftsmen, over the centuries, have transformed inherently humble objects -- drills, saws, planes, and levels -- into works of art. Tools Rare and Ingenious expands on Sandor Nagyszalanczy's acclaimed book The Art of Fine Tools by offering a world tour of objects that rarely leave the private vaults of collectors. In more than 375 color photographs, the author presents tools ranging from calipers that mimic dancing ballerinas to a carved breast drill that's shaped like a violin and, astonishingly, outfitted with a bow. Some tools glitter with silver and jewels, others are breathtaking in their simplicity. Included in this fascinating history are maker's marks and logos, jewelry-like miniature tools, patent and prototype models, and elaborate presentation tools that were created as awards or gifts. This is a book to treasure. Collectors and craftsmen will relish the depth of historical and technical information that accompanies each picture. And anyone who has ever held a hammer or a saw, no matter how briefly, will marvel at these masterpieces of art and utility.

SYNOPSIS