Peter Nicholson’s “The Mechanic’s Companion” is one of the landmark English-language books on woodworking and related building trades. First published in 1812, it’s an invaluable treatment of period techniques, with 40 detailed plates that offer an excellent look of the tools of the time, and a thorough review of the geometry you need for all types of construction.
You’ll find useful primary-source information on how to use traditional joinery tools at the bench. That’s because Nicholson – unlike other technical writers of the time – was a trained cabinetmaker, who later became an architect, prolific author and teacher. So he writes (and writes well) with the authority of experience and clarity on all things carpentry and joinery. For the other trades covered – bricklaying, masonry, slating, plastering, painting, smithing and turning – he relies on masters for solid information and relays it in easy-to-understand prose.
“Mechanic’s Companion” went through a number of printings, both in England and in the United States; this reprint is of the 1845 U.S. edition, which includes information on mid 19th-century New York City building codes (which are – to me, anyway! – fascinating). I spent a month or so in early 2018 scanning the pages of the original (at high and crisp resolution, of course) and cleaning up the foxing, as well as rebuilding many broken letters and words, pixel by pixel. My aim was to present as clean a book as possible. (I also bumped up the size by 10 percent, just to make it a little more readable.)
But after two years of fulfilling orders out of my living room and dining room – and becoming increasingly busy with freelance work for Lost Art Press and others – I decided my time and floor space could be better spent. So, Lost Art Press picked up the remainder of my print run, and will keep this important book in print (something I would not have been able to do on my own).
Like all Lost Art Press books, “Mechanic’s Companion” text is printed on acid-free paper in Smythe-sewn signatures that are reinforced with fiber tape. The interior is then wrapped in hardcover boards and cotton cloth. The book is produced entirely in the United States.
— Fitz
I love this book. The reprint is top quality; especially the cover and its texture. I find Nicholson’s minimal tool kit of particular interest, and often come back to the book for reference (when considering what constitutes a good nest of saws, for example).
Megan also scribbled a handwritten thank you on the packing paper, which doubles as a free autograph/bookmark in my copy.
Highly recommend!
Hey now – that “scribble” is my finest handwriting. Seriously. It’s embarrassing.
Ha. It was a calligraphic scribble to be sure.
As someone who has their own struggles with mid-19th-c. scans and cleaning up these images and foxing, etc… I can fully appreciate the tremendous amount of work you must have done to make it look this good. I’m working right now on an 1853 article on the Great London Sawmill works. Large, complex engravings… Yup. I feel your pain.
i just ordered this book from Lost Art this week- cannot wait to get it!!!
Fitz, are the books still showing Rude Mechanicals Press as the publisher on the copyright page or have they been reprinted under LAP publishing?
The copies currently in the warehouse (about 250 or so at last check) show my RMP imprint. When we go back on press, it’ll change to LAP.
So does this mean no future RMP publishing? I love this book BTW. I should have brought it with me on my last class so that you could scribble on mine as well.
I don’t know – depends on if I can convince Chris and John to publish “Shakespeare’s Furniture” 🙂
After my trip to the globe and seeing some of what they had on the tour, I am in.
I’ll buy it, and one for my English teacher brother. So that’s three sales. I assume that’ll put y’all in the black.
Yes! – to a Shakespeare’s furniture book! … and when Chris says yes 🙏… if you need an assistant just shout because I live just down the road from the bard’s birthplace
Hi Susie – and good to know! Glad you braved the wilds of Essex a few years back 😉
It is an important book, and has been reprinted wonderfully. I’m very happy to own a copy.
I am both sad and pleased at this news. i was looking forward to more from the rude cat, but happy to see the work find a home.
I’m not getting rid of my logo!
Well, if DHL keep their promise, my copy should arrive tomorrow, in the good company of Ingenious Mechanicks and Doormaking and Window-making.
Anticipation is waxing strong over here …
Cheers
Mattias
Megan, thanks again for reproducing this book. I struggled with a bad digital copy for years so having a clean, easy-to-read printed version is a real gift. It’s great to know that LAP is going to continue publishing it. I’m also happy to learn that you enlarged the original by 10%. I have been scaling off the ‘full size’ images in the joinery section and have thought that the thicknesses seemed a little large. Now it makes sense.
This is one for the shop. It’s been a fine companion for a few months now. Glad I ordered the Rude Mechanicals LS tee shirt as well. Seriously, put me on the list for Shakespeare’s Furniture. Love’s Labour won’t be Lost!
Looking forward to reading it. UPS says Monday at my door. And thanks for increasing the size. Gawd! What’s happening with my eyes!