Description
No, not a typo, Joseph Moxon’s “Mechanick Exercises or the Doctrine of Handy-Works,” is the first English-language book on woodworking (and other trades) – but it was written by a man who wasn’t a woodworker. Instead, Moxon (1627-1691) was a printer, a maker of mathematical instruments and (for a time) hydrographer to King Charles II. Oh, and the engravings of woodworking tools in his book? Most were stolen from a French woodworking book.
While it doesn’t sound like a reputable project on its face, “Mechanick Exercises” remains one of the most important English-language woodworking books out there, and it is still studied today by historians as well as practical woodworkers, blacksmiths, carpenters, bricklayers and turners.
The book is the earliest look into how joinery was executed in the 17th century, and its descriptions still ring true. Thanks to Moxon’s clear and concise text, we can still learn the basic strokes of our craft from these voices.
This book is printed on acid-free paper that resists yellowing and eventual disintegration. Like Moxon’s original booklets, our version is printed in signatures that are sewn together for durability. This sewn “book block” is then reinforced with fiber tape and covered in thick boards and cotton cloth. Like all Lost Art Press books, this book is produced and printed entirely in the United States.
Lost Art Press produced this book with the assistance of the Early American Industries Association, and they send a portion of the proceeds this worthy and important organization.
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