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Recommended Reading

Woodworking Books On 18th Century Furniture

Books we have read, and found to be well written and informative. 

Master Craftsmen of Newport, The Townsends and Goddards
by: Michael A. Moses and Israel Sach, Inc.
An out of print book, pertaining to the life and works of the famous Goddard and Townsend, families of furniture makers of the Eighteenth century. They represented some of the very finest design and craftsmanship of all time. Although it is out of print, some copies are still available, (at a very steep price), however, it is available to read at many public libraries. You cannot check this book out of the library.

American Furniture of the 18th Century
by: Jeffrey P. Greene
For anyone interested in  Eighteenth Century furniture, this book is a wealth of information. Whenever I'm involved in making a piece, this book is on my bench, open and referred to on regular basis. I have learned so much from this book it has become one of my favorite sources for knowledge, and traditions of times gone by. Jeffrey Green is a specialist in furniture of that time period, and working with Michael Moses, Historian, are reproducing a series of famous pieces, done by the Goddard and Townsend families, known as the "Master Craftsmen Series". His shop is within walking distance to the space occupied by the shops of the famous makers he emulates, in Newport Rhode Island.

Jeffrey Greene also owns and operates a store in Newport, aptly  named "The Ball and Claw", which sells his works, and also carries 18th century accessories for interiors.
* note: the last time I checked, Jeffrey Greene was the source for copies of the "Master Craftsmen of Newport", however these are from the authors private stock, of fifty, that were signed by the author on the  frontispiece, and who had made arrangements with a Book Binder for these 50 copies authorized to receive a Leather Embossed Cover. This signature block says book number .. out of fifty. I have copy number 144, and I believe it cost me in the neighborhood  of $ 1,200.00, by the time I got it back from the bookbinder. Without the leather work I think it was $ 900.00.

The New Fine Points of Furniture
by: Albert Sach
A revised edition of a book that first was published in 1948 by the same author, this book points out the differences in the quality of furniture, and assigns them a rating based on those factors. An amazing book, in that some of the finest furniture ever built, is included herein. A very inspiring book. Albert Sach is one of the world's leading experts on American and English Furniture. Son of Israel Sach, Founder of Israel Sach, Inc., Located in New York.

Making Period Furniture
by: The Taunton Press
A collection of articles on making 18th century furniture, with  a strong emphasis on proportion. One of my favorite books.

Queen Anne Furniture
by: Norman Vandal
History, Design, and construction. Measured drawings of 18 classical pieces.

American Furniture - A Winterthur Book
by: Joseph Downs
American furniture from the Queen Anne and Chippendale periods.

Period Furniture Details
by: Lonnie Bird
Taunton's complete illustrated guide to...

Brittish Long Case Clocks
by: Derek Roberts
Photographs and descriptive tags on hundreds of clocks.

In the Eighteenth Century Style
by: The editors of Fine Woodworking
A collection of articles, pertaining to techniques.

Fine Furniture for a Lifetime
by: Glen Huey
Includes plans for ten elegant projects, in 18th & 19 century designs.

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