Crafts & Hobbies

English joiner John Head (1688-1754) immigrated to Philadelphia in 1717 and became one of its most successful artisans and merchants. His prominence had been lost to history until the discovery of his account book at the Amer. Philosophical Soc. The earliest and most complete account book to have survived from any cabinetmaker working in Brit. North Amer. or in Great Britain, it records thousands of transactions over a 35-year period (1718-1753). This volume represents the definitive interpretation of the Head’s account book. Profusely illustrated and with a comprehensive general index, it is an essential reference work on 18th-cent. Phila., its furniture and material culture, and a detailed social history of that era’s artisans and merchants.

Franklin’s printing house was one of the most influential in all the Brit. colonies in the 18th cent. Here are bibliographically accurate descriptions of the more than 800 items from broadsides to books printed by Franklin or by the partnership of Franklin and Hall. Lists 600+ pieces of job printing by Franklin, and another 100 items erroneously ascribed to the Franklin shop. Includes a summary account of Franklin’s career as a printer in Phila., and individual essays on his dealings with the Brit. type-founders, the colonial Amer. papermakers, and the PA and New England bookbinders. Includes specimens of Franklin’s first type fonts and pictorial reproductions of his stock of decorative ornaments and of rubbings of binders’ tools found on vol. bearing his imprint.