by Donald C. Williams, Photography by Narayan NayarSometime in the latter quarter of the 19th century a piano and organ maker by the name of Henry O. Studley, who was nearing retirement, decided to build a toolbox for his tools. The result was arguably the finest expression of a craftsman's relationship to their tools ever made.
Miraculously the tool chest with over 250 tools, each in a custom slot, survived largely unknown and undisturbed until 1988 when Fine Woodworking magazine published a photo of the open chest. The toolbox became their most popular poster in magazine history.
This book, researched and written by Don Williams, and lusciously photographed by Narayan Nayar tells the story of the chest, its maker, the tools in the chest, and puts everything into historical and practical context. For the first time we also get to take a look at Studley's workbench.
In this book you will find measurements, details and photographs of all the tools in the cabinet. Every swinging frame, hinged panel and nook of this three-dimensional, multi-layered sculpture has been analyzed so you can understand how it folds in on itself like a giant piece of mahogany origami.
You will meet the man himself, H.O. Studley, and get a glimpse into the trade of high-end organ and piano makers in 19th- and 20th-century New England.
“Virtuoso” is produced and printed in the United States. The interior paper is an #80 coated matte paper. The signatures are sewn, affixed with a cloth tape and glued to the cover boards to create a strong hinge. The cloth-covered boards are wrapped in a #100 supermatte dust jacket. 216 pages.
Pages: 216
Binding: HC
Publisher: Lost Art Press
