Tools - Rare and Ingenious
Sandor Nagyszalanczy
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. Unfortunatley, this book does not appear to have been edited by a knowledgeable tool expert and it contains glaring errors. For example, a sash fillester is incorrectly identified as a plow plane. Of course, a book like this is not intended as a reference work, but is instead meant to be more of a visual treat.
