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• Bird Decoys of North America: Nature, History, and Art-NS

  $40.00 $24.00 0 review(s)

  
  

  Bird decoys, which were first fashioned by Native American hunter-artists at least 1,500 years ago, are the only major folk art form to originate in North America. Today, decoys made during the heyday of decoy carving--roughly from 1840 to 1950--rank among the most avidly sought of all folk art collectibles, with some rare and outstanding examples fetching upwards of $8000,000 apiece at auction. These humble hunting tools, intended to deceive wildfowl by luring them into shooters' range, are now appreciated on many levels: as compelling works of sculpture, as exacting portraits of living and extinct species, and as irreplaceable historical objects. Successful decoy carvers of the past knew their prey intimately--spending countless hours observing game birds in the wild and then bringing their accumulated knowledge of different species' appearance and behavior to the carving bench. Because the works these artisans created were meant to attract avian eyes--conveying the essence of a bird's plumage, form, and attitude at a glance--older handmade decoys are deeply observed symbols of living birds that no merely decorative object, no matter how photographically accurate, can match. In this definitive, lavishly illustrated work, folk-art expert Robert Shaw chronicles the now-vanished era in which the great decoy makers pursued their craft. Shaw traces the natural history of North American bird species--more than sixty of which are represented in antique decoys. He relates the history of wildfowl hunting on this continent, detailing the excesses of nineteenth-century commercial hunting and the rise of a conservation movement aimed at ensuring bird species' long-term survival. He examines the distinctive forms produced in each major hunting area, from the Maritime Provinces of Canada to the Chesapeake Bay to the bayous of Louisiana and beyond. And, with a storyteller's gift for the entertaining anecdote, Shaw puts us in touch with the lives and circumstances of the decoy makers themselves.

• SUCCESS WITH FINISHING

  $19.95 $11.97 0 review(s)

  
  

  Good finishing can be the key to a successful woodworking job, and fortunately it’s a task that anyone can master. All that’s required is simple equipment and a solid understanding of the basics—which this fully-illustrated guide, with 200 color photos and easy-to-follow instructions, provides. Whether you’re considering a full grain French polish or a quick and easy wipe-on, you’ll find advice here on what’s suitable for any particular piece. A general review features a technical description of each main finish and information on the best methods of application, while coverage of preparation encompasses everything from safety considerations to stripping the wood. The step-by-step projects include almost every imaginable style.

• THE CAMBRIDGE ILLUSTRATED GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS

  $39.99 $23.99 0 review(s)

  
  

  This beautifully illustrated glossary constitutes an extraordinary collection of the specialist terms used in many botanical works. The book is arranged in two sections: the glossary, which provides clear definitions for over 2400 of the most commonly used botanical and horticultural terms, and illustrations, which can be cross-referenced to the glossary. This outstanding reference will be welcomed by all readers grappling with botanical terms, whether student, professional, or hobbyist.

• CODE CHECK 4th ed.: A FIELD GUIDE TO BUILDING, PLUMBING, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL

  $17.95 $10.77 0 review(s)

  
  

  Specifically designed to be used on site for quick reference. Durable laminated pages withstand abuse. Easy to use flip chart format summarizes national code specifications. Building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical.

• ESSENTIALS OF WOODWORKING: FINISHES AND FINISHING TECHNIQUES

  $17.95 $10.77 0 review(s)

  
  

  This is a collection of all of the best recent material on finishing published in Fine Woodworking Magizine. The Authors range from experts in the manufacturing field to highly skilled amateur woodworkers. This is a great guide to basic finishing.

• THE ARCHITECT, OR PRACTICAL HOUSE CARPENTER

  $16.95 $10.17 0 review(s)

  
  

  Benjamin designed this work as a practical handbook for architects and carpenters. It was largely responsible for the Greek Revival style which spread throughout the East. This is a basic text for the period and presents designs for windows, columns, fences, vases, balusters, shutters, moldings, staircases, and much more. This was a very influential book in its day.