Lost Art Press is hosting a special event during the Woodworking in America conference where you will be able to see (and touch) the original 18th-century volumes of A.J. Roubo’s “L’Art du Menuisier” and learn some of the publishing details of the forthcoming translation “To Make as Perfectly as Possible.”
The event will be at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, in Covington, Ky. There is no admission charge, but you must register to attend because space is limited. (UPDATE: Registration is closed as the event is full).
One registration per e-mail address, please.
You will be sent a confirmation e-mail, directions to the event and a registration number indicating that you are indeed registered. You will need to print out this e-mail and bring it with you to the event to get in. We’re not trying to be jerks – it’s just a small space and there are fire codes to obey.
We will have Don Williams there, the leader of the team of translators and craftsmen during the last four years. Don will be happy to discuss details of the first volume on finishing and marquetry, plus show off some of the tools he built (such as his polissoir and shoulder knife).
Plus we’ll have Wesley Tanner of Passim Editions there, who is designing the Roubo volumes. He’ll be sharing some of the cool details of the design (ask him about the font. Seriously). Also, he’ll have all of our high-resolution scans of all the plates on hand for you to view while projected on a high-resolution screen.
Also, we’ll be bringing the original editions of Roubo for you to see and (if you are brave and careful) examine yourself. We have complete copies of the first edition that’s bound in calfskin, plus the 1977 reprints.
We’ll also discuss the publishing of “To Make as Perfectly as Possible,” which is in full swing right now. There will be two versions of the book coming out soon – a premium edition and a trade edition. We’ll have many more details to share at the event.
It’s all going to be very casual.
The event is a short walk from the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, where WIA is being held. We hope to have a fine selection of bourbons and craft beers on draft (this should come as no surprise). It will be a cash bar.
— Christopher Schwarz
Let me be the first to request some type of webcast. Sounds like a fun event but life will not allow me to attend.
The registration link isn’t working. Sent a request through your contact button.
John,
It’s fixed now.
Not fixed yet – you need to add a .com to the email address.
This is the coolest hobby.
Wait until you see the 18th-c books.
I don’t often get jealous, but nice books.
The contortions you must have gone through to take that nice picture!
Too Cool! I love books. Especially OLD ones.
Will you be sharing those details (publication dates, edition details, etc) with the rest of us home-bound suckers at some point?
Of course!
I just tried the link and it would not work. Tried entering the address in an e-mail and it kicked back. Finally sent a note via the contact link.
A set of the originals will set you back somewhere between $8,000- 12,000 today. The 1979 reprint set sells for around a grand. No idea how much the LAP version will sell for, but given that I don’t speak French, I eagerly await the culmination of all the effort your group has made.
Like Bob, I can’t be there either, which is so depressing. It sounds like a great time with great group and great things to look at and talk about.
Didn’t want to bring those originals in the carryon luggage to California, huh? 🙂
You should say something more about “les Rabots,” one of the coolest tool books I have ever seen. It’s a compendium of every type of French plane, plus more on “foreign” planes. A real work of love. I wonder if an English edition would ever be possible.
http://www.editionsvial.com/fiche-produit.php?rub=2&id_livre=169
Hello i ve been hoping for some Time to find à good copy in french of roubo s work im french speaking but all récent publishings are sold out or those from France inaffordable would you happen to know of à french and affordable set of all 4 books thank you
Here’s a very affordable edition on CD-ROM. I don’t own it, but I am tempted.
http://passerellesdutemps.free.fr/edition_numerique/pages_volantes/Roubo_art_du_menuisier/art_du_menuisier_Roubo.htm
Tools for Working Wood had a set a few years back, in French, that was as reasonable as you will find. Alas, it was paperback, and divided into five volumes. I don’t know if they still have any.
Please can we have this as a webcast for those of us not able to attend?
The absolute highlight of WIA last year was the Roubo dinner. This is going to be great, no question.
I *KNEW* I should have gone to Cincinnati instead of Pasadena…wish I could be there.
Cincinnati Uber Alles! Of course, I *might* be biased, since I live here…
Everyone who touches the books must first wash and dry their hands. And no food or drink within ten feet. Seriously. This may in fact be the finest First Edition of Roubo in existence, and its presence will mark a very, very special evening.
Don,
Should I dig out my white cotten gloves from cotillion?