Category Archives: Sundry Historical Matters

The Finished Finials – finally

Posted on November 13, 2013 by

We’ve had a project in the shop I’d like to tell you all about. Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Trades Department is working with The Museum of the American Revolution to construct a copy of George Washington’s wartime Headquarters- “The First Oval … Continue reading →

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On the Trail of William Buckland; the Beginning and the End

Posted on October 11, 2013 by

Months ago my wife and I planned a trip to Annapolis with some friends, long before the subject of the 2014 Working Wood Symposium was decided. (Before our shop study trip to MESDA, and our trip to Gunston Hall.)  We … Continue reading →

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Buckland and Sears at Gunston Hall

Posted on September 2, 2013 by

Among the pieces we’ll be featuring in our January Working Wood Symposium is a wonderful sideboard from the MESDA collection at Old Salem in Winston Salem, North Carolina. This table, originally among the furnishings of Mt. Airy, was saved from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Shop Happenings, Sundry Historical Matters | 2 Comments

Beyond the Standard Rule

Posted on October 8, 2012 by

Hello everyone: No this is not directly about the spinet keyboard work, although it all relates, as you will see… Just a little followup to one topic I touched on back in January at the Mount Vernon WW conference. Why … Continue reading →

Posted in Drawing & Design, Sundry Historical Matters, Tools | 4 Comments

Yes, Virginia, There Really Is Sandpaper in 1775

Posted on February 26, 2012 by

Okay, we would like to settle the perennial question (or statement) we get in the shop:  “Since you didn’t have sandpaper…” or “Did they have sandpaper?”  or “Was sandpaper available back then?” Answer: Yes, we had it.  Proof?  Here goes: … Continue reading →

Posted in Sundry Historical Matters, Tools | Tagged , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Hello Again and Some Rules for Varnishing

Posted on February 21, 2012 by

First of all, we’re back and we plan on blogging far more regularly this year.  Thanks for sticking with us! Secondly: Happy New Year Everyone!  …I know that seems belated, but here in the Anthony Hay Shop the new year … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Readings, Finishing, Sundry Historical Matters | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Treatise by Sprengel – Part 3

Posted on July 6, 2011 by

The following is a description of the types of chairs made and their respective parts. It’s interesting that though Sprengel states that the German chairmaker’s trade has been transplanted from London, all the chair types are French.  Does this show … Continue reading →

Posted in Chairs, Sundry Historical Matters, Treatise by Sprengel | 4 Comments