Lost Art Press

Update on Peter Galbert’s Book on Chairmaking

Posted on by Lost Art Press

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Judging from the near-daily e-mails and comments, Peter Galbert’s forthcoming book on building Windsor chairs is highly anticipated.

I can understand the anticipation. I have just finished editing Peter’s text, and it is a fantastic piece of work. I’ve never read a chairmaking book that is its equal.

So here is the latest news on this title.

First, the title of the book. Right now the working title is “The Illustrated Guide to Windsor Chairmaking.” It will be published in a format larger than 6”x9”. Though we haven’t settled on an exact size, it will be close to 8”x10”. Hardbound, sewn signatures and made in the United States, as you would expect.

Price? Somewhere between $30 and $40. We still need to nail down some manufacturing details before we set the price.

Timing: We’d hoped to release this book this summer. That isn’t going to happen. Because of the many, many hand-drawn illustrations that Peter has to make, we are now estimating the book will go to press in August and be released in September. One of his near-final illustrations is pictured above. You can practically build a chair using the illustrations alone.

The book will be worth the wait.

— Christopher Schwarz

6 thoughts on “Update on Peter Galbert’s Book on Chairmaking”

  2. I have zero interest in chair-making, to be honest, but the drawing sample has me intrigued. It reminds of the Eric Sloane Reverence for Wood books that I grew up with.

    I’ll probably pick it up, if nothing else to see what all the fuss is about.

    badger

  3. In response to “I’ve never read a chairmaking book that is its equal.” I invite you to consider this: http://www.russfilbeck.net/Orderbook.html
    My very good friend, Russ Filbeck, wrote a book on building Ladder Back Chairs that I still consider the best book I ever read regarding chair building or woodworking in general. The depth and scope of this book is such a testimony to Russ’ integrity.
    Still looking forward to Peter’s book but …. just sayin!

  5. Since Pete is pretty much done with this book, can you encourage him to do a book on turning? Or at least a DVD? His techniques are well thought out and tested, and I really like how he does most of hits work with only two or three tools. I bet it would sell.

    1. Pete is not done with the book by any stretch. He has many, many drawings to do, two chairs to build and photos to take.

      The book has several chapters on turning, so I think you’ll get a lot out of those.

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