Download Digital Antique Metalsmithing eBooks

One of the few books available on books on wax modelmaking; "Lost Wax Jewelry Making: The Build-up Technique" by Minoru Azama, printed in Japanese by Kashiwa Hobby Books. 1999. Azama process emphasizes building up wax as opposed to starting with a wax blank and carving away material. He uses this approach for organic as well as geometric subjects. The potential of this technique is unlimited! Azama's work is outstanding, some of it so very precise and geometric that one would think it had been carved of hard wax. The book was written for students at the Japan Jewelry Academy, and Mr. Azama has been generous enough to write a complete English translation.

This eBook covers the history of the ancient technique of filigree jewelry making and gives very clear instructions on how filigree is made, and how it can be combined with enamel. Filigree is a group of individual lace-like intertwined wires of gold or silver, soldered together to form a pattern. Topics include: tools and materials, making filigree wire and jigs, soldering preparation and technique, pickling, making filigree jewelry, gold plating and more. 110 pages, 67 b&w photos and diagrams, 3 pages of color, soft cover.

This 1916 book (republished in 1921) teaches the core skills of soft and hard soldering (brazing) and introduces basic principles of welding metals. It is a book derived from many articles by different authors in the magazine 'Work', an illustrated weekly of the time. Oxy-acetylene was a new process at this time and this kind of brazing with brass, and welding metals other than steel were new possibilities for metal workers. The excellent descriptions, definitions and pictures are very clear and understandable. There are some really interesting recipes and divisions of types of soft soldering. The section on soft soldering has way more information than any current book on the subject. The detail and images is very good [read more]....

This 1899 book is one of the most important early books on enameling. It is quoted and cited by all its contemporary books and many later books. At 168 pages it is a remarkable book very important for any person interested in enameling. The technical information and detail is absolutely amazing... [read more...]

This 1899 (republished 1905) book outlines the knowledge at the time of gems and precious stones. It is surprisingly accurate and most is still current. It is a completely revised version of the 1882 book "Handbook of Precious Stones". It covers the science, the origins, the use, and meaning and more of gems. A very thorough book. Any gemologist can benefit from reading this book - and it should be mandatory for anyone studying gemology. It also deals with issues of design and artistic use of gems which sets it apart from any other gemology book I know of [read more]....

Subtitled: "A manual for the use of Watchmakers, jewelers and Other Metal Engravers". This 182 page book, published in 1898, covers letter engraving in exhaustive and thorough detail. If you are learning engraving this is another essential for your library. Every goldsmith, too, should consider it for your collection. The book is intended as a self study course in letter engraving. It begins with graver preparation instructions and basic polishing and finishing tools for it. The author makes a case for an unpolished but sharpened graver leaving textured cuts that can be used in design terms.... [read more...]

This book, originally published in England in 1913 covers repousse, fine chasing, silversmithing, jewellery and enamelling. It is part of Longman's technical handicraft series of books. Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement it details the practical ways that are not touched on as deeply in most texts since. The drawings are excellent, clear and insightful. Like, really excellent. Along with exceptional chasing and repousse information there are surprises, like the many pages of wire and sheet metal strip twisting examples for borders and decoration. The section on enameling is unusual in its early viewpoint, grinding lump enamel being the only option, and firing trivet designs of interest. It has over 378 illustrations, beautifully hand drawn and carried out. File Size: 22MB, 227 pages.

The subtitle of this book is "Chasing and Repousse for Home Art Workers". It was published in 1903. This book deals mostly with chasing and repousse information. Really great engravings and drawings to show tools, exercises and pieces. One of the few to show tool holding positions in the hand. Lots of drawings of chasing tool ends and shapes. There are a number of specific projects described, some hardware oriented. This book is an essential reference for the serious chaser. File Size: 19MB, 62 pages. [read more]....

Published in 1894. This heavily illustrated book, many photographs and line drawings which cover chasing and repousse in depth and with subtlety. The hundreds of excellent line drawings of tools, stamps, and more are excellent. The tool end images are especially clear. There are many photographs of complex chased trays and other objects. This is a great book, and essential for a serious jeweler and chaser. File Size: 68MB, 164 pages.

This is a book of bench tricks, recipes and tricks written in 1892 compiled and published by the Hazlitt company in Chicago. Called 'A workshop companion' it is full of rare, forgotten recipes and arcane jeweler's knowledge. The front page says "compiled from Private Formulae" by the Hazlitt Company in Chicago. It covers "Practical formulae and directions for solders and soldering, cleaning, pickling, polishing, coloring, bronzing, staining, cementing, etching lacquering, varnishing and general finishing of metals as applied to the watch and jewelry trade, together with all the important alloys used by the trade and many miscellaneous recipes" The patination recipes are truly interesting, as are the polishing compounds and alloys including early references to different ways of making blue gold and other odd alloys. A real treat, a book that sells for hundreds of dollars, if you can even find a copy. 128 pages jammed full of information. [read more]....