That deep exhaling noise you just heard is probably coming from Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio and Maryland. Today we finished initial production of the long-awaited “With All the Precision Possible: Roubo on Furniture.”
Weighing in at 470 pages, this book represents too many hours of work by too many people on too many continents. As I paged through the final product today before sending it to our printers for a quote, I could feel only relief. Not joy. Not satisfaction. (Those feelings might come later.)
Instead, today I have only to tell you something that we rarely say: This project was difficult at every stage. It ground all of us down to a nub. I am glad that I’ll never have to repeat it. And I am fearful to tally up all the money that we spent on it.
Was it worth it? I hope so. Like all of our difficult and protracted publishing projects, I know “Roubo on Furniture” was the right thing to do for the craft and the historical record. But when I count up the hours and calculate the communal grief, I question its value.
All of us can see how much better this project could be if we only had 20 more years to explore this, that or the other thing from the original text.
But some of us won’t be around in 20 years. So here is what we have. It’s not perfect. But it is done with all the precision possible.
In the next week or so, we will offer “With All the Precision Possible: Roubo on Furniture” for sale in our store (and through our network of retailers worldwide). And then we will start work on the deluxe edition of the book (details to follow on that). But as of today I don’t have any more information for you on this book. No prices. No delivery date.
But those details are coming. Soon.
— Christopher Schwarz
Bravo to whole team!
Huzzah!
Thank you all for all the hard work. I’ll be buying both editions.
Chris, I have never been disappointed with what LAP has produced, and very much doubt I will this time. Thank you and the entire group for what none other will do!!!
Dana
Really looking forward to this one! Thank you for the sweat and tears!
Congratulations on another major accomplishment!
You guys continue to amaze!
My congratulations and thanks to you and the team for all the work. I am looking forward to ordering one as soon as the offer is made.
Are you planning on keeping the same form factor as the first volume (Roubo on Marquetry)? I’m particularly interested in the deluxe version.
Yes. Both the standard and deluxe versions will be the same form factor as the first books.
The only tiny difference will be the paper in the standard edition of “Roubo on Furniture.” It will be slightly whiter.
Congrats on the milestone. Hopefully soon enough you’ll all find a little bit of that much deserved satisfaction.
Bell’s Hopslam 2017 just released. Find one on tap nearby and I’m sure the good feelings will flow. Enjoying my first of the season right now…
To sharp tools, beautiful grain, and delicious beer.
Cool. Thank you now verbally, shortly remuneratively. I actually want to build one of those gaudy French beds; I’m not even sure what I will do with it when finished.
All the agony was SO WORTH IT! and much appreciated!
now and for generations to come…
I was occasionally trying to translate parts of it with my limited French and Google Translate, but was very slow going. My french teacher as well as everyone I told, thought I was crazy.
When I first heard you were tackling this project, I was very excited. I’m still very excited and can’t wait to get the latest tome in my hands.
I’ve had projects like that before. Heartfelt congrats on getting it out for quote.
Let me be one of the many people who would like to thank you for bringing these books to all of us folks who can’t read (early) French. Your efforts are appreciated.