book: "SOUTHWESTERN COLONIAL IRONWORK: The Spanish

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book: "SOUTHWESTERN COLONIAL IRONWORK: The Spanish

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Sold Date: 02/12/2008
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

This is a used, paper bound copy of SOUTHWESTERN COLONIAL IRONWORK: The Spanish Blacksmithing Tradition from Texas to California. by Marc Simmons and Frank Turley, published by the Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico. [1980]. (199 pages.) Originally priced at: $14.95. The book measures 8 1/4" x 10 1/4", and is approximately 1/2" thick. It is in very good condition, with a tight binding and spine. The exterior shows some shelf wear: with a small tear at the base of the front cover near the spine and some nicks and scuffing along the edges of the front cover and edges of the binding. The interior pages are in fine conditon, with no wear to be seen.

The volume is divided into two Parts. Part One includes chapters: "Ironwork in Spain.", "Ironwork in Colonial Mexico.", "Ironwork in the Spanish Southwest.", and "Iron and the Indian Trade." Part Two contains individual chapters covering: "The Smithy.", "Farriery.", "Tool Forging.", "Ironwork on the Farm, Ranch, and Trail.", "Horseman's Hardware.", "Iron in the Home.", "Builder's Hardware.", "Mission Iron.", and "Conclusion." Also included at the beginning of the book are the preface, acknowledgements, abbreviations, and the introducction. At the back of the volume are Appendices: Notes, Glossary of Spanish Terms, Bibliography, and the Index.

The intent of this study is to show the nature and scope of the Hispanic blacksmithing craft and to describe the kinds of ironwork used in what is today the southwestern United States. Colonial smiths were more comman in the Southwest and their work more sophisticated than has been generally recognized by scholars in the past. The forged all manner of domestic utensils and hardware and served as gunsmiths, armorers, and farriers. Part I of the volume is a historical narrative which traces the story of smithcraft from Spain, through Mexico, and into the American Southwest.....describing a blacksmithing tradition distinct from that which was transferred by England and France to their own New World colonies. Part II examines the colonial smith, his equipment, his methods, and the products of his forge. Information on these subjects has been gatd from original documents of the period, particularly the wills fo blacksmiths, supply lists of expeditions, and inventories of mission workshops. Surviving specimans of colonial ironwork have been studied and examined in the preparation of this volume. The book contains hundreds of illustration: photographs, paintings, and drawings of original Spanish colonial ironwork.....as well as modern reproductions of original ironwork, and descriptions of the design and construction of the illustrated items.

An outstanding volume which would be a fine addition to the library of anyone interested in the craft of blacksmithing practiced in the Spanish Southwest from the mid-1500 through the 1820's.