Books and DVDs on Antique Tools and Collecting
Well-made tools in general, and old tools specifically have great esthetic and intellectual appeal. Artisan Ideas is trying to put together an interesting selection of publications on antique tools, antique tool chests, antique locks and keys, and antique anvils for your enjoyment. If antique tools and tool collecting is an interest of yours, we hope you find something new and interesting here.
Your Suggestions
If you know of a book, especially harder-to-find publications, that others like you may enjoy reading but which is not present here, please let us know. My name is Jim and I’m the owner of Artisan Ideas. Please email me directly at jblaho@ArtisanIdeas.com. THANKS!!
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Anvils in America – Richard Postman – Anvil Identification & Reference Guide (2025 Hardcover)
$95.00564 pages • 700+ illustrations • Covers American and European anvil makers and types
Artisan Ideas is proud to present the 2025 hardcover reprint of Anvils in America by Richard Postman — the most authoritative work on anvil makers, identification, and manufacturing history.
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THE NEW SPRUCE FORGE MANUAL OF LOCKSMITHING: A BLACKSMITH’S GUIDE TO SIMPLE LOCK MECHANISMS (REVISED AND EXPANDED)
$44.95European customers: Artisan Ideas books are now warehoused in the UK for faster delivery and lower postage costs across Europe and the rest of the world. Order directly from our European distributor, The Mare Nostrum Group, at MNG Bookshop. Bookstores and other retailers outside the US can send queries, or order from our distributor, at: enquiries@mare-nostrum.co.uk.
Silver Medal Winner for the HOBBY and CRAFT BOOKS category, 2023 IBPA Book Awards.
Hardcover, 304 pages, full color photos and illustrations.
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THE WARRINGTON CHEST: 1888
$45.50This amazing chest was made by a Sheffield pattern maker, Ernest Warrington, when he was just 18 years old. The chest itself is discussed and drawings of the chest are included in the book. The marquetry is examined in detail and the techniques used are explained. The book is copiously illustrated with more than 100 colour illustrations, plus black and white illustrations, maps and drawings.
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Locks and Keys Throughout the Ages – Classic Reference on the History and Mechanisms of Locks and Keys
$32.50A classic reference on the history of locks and keys, tracing their development from prehistoric devices to modern mechanisms. Vincent J.M. Eras combines detailed explanations with over 280 black-and-white photographs and drawings to illustrate how locks function and evolved over time.
Hardcover, 186 pages, over 280 black-and-white photos and designs.
European customers: Artisan Ideas books are warehoused in the UK for faster delivery and lower shipping costs. Order from our European distributor, Mare Nostrum Group (MNG Bookshop). Trade enquiries: enquiries@mare-nostrum.co.uk.
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Antique Lock and Key Collectors’ Library – 3-Book Set on Antique Locks, Keys, and Mechanisms
Original price was: $123.95.$104.95Current price is: $104.95.A complete 3-book reference set on the history of locks and keys, bringing together Antique Locks and Keys, Locks and Keys Throughout the Ages, and Persian Locks. This collector-grade library covers lock development, design, and mechanisms across centuries and cultures.
All three volumes are hardcover.
European customers: Artisan Ideas books are warehoused in the UK for faster delivery and lower shipping costs. Order from our European distributor, Mare Nostrum Group (MNG Bookshop). Trade enquiries: enquiries@mare-nostrum.co.uk.
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Persian Locks: 1500 Years of Iranian Padlocks – Illustrated History of Antique Persian Locks and Mechanisms
$32.50An award-winning, beautifully illustrated book on Persian lockmaking, presenting 1,500 years of antique locks history through over 500 photographs and drawings. Explore the design, craftsmanship, and mechanisms of traditional Iranian padlocks in this richly detailed visual reference.
Hardcover, 144 pages, 10 × 8.5 inches, over 500 full-color photos and drawings.
European customers: Artisan Ideas books are warehoused in the UK for faster delivery and lower shipping costs. Order from our European distributor, Mare Nostrum Group (MNG Bookshop). Trade enquiries: enquiries@mare-nostrum.co.uk.
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Antique Locks and Keys: Their History, Uses and Mechanisms – Comprehensive Reference on Antique Lock Mechanisms and Key Design
$58.952024 Gold Medal Winner – Independent Book Publishers Awards
A comprehensive reference on antique locks and keys, covering their history, mechanisms, and artistic development from Roman times through the Industrial Revolution. Features over 1,000 high-resolution photographs with dates, dimensions, and provenance, along with detailed insights into internal lock mechanisms.
Hardcover, 290 pages, over 1,000 color photos, 12¼ × 9¼ inches.
European customers: Artisan Ideas books are warehoused in the UK for faster delivery and lower shipping costs. Order from our European distributor, Mare Nostrum Group (MNG Bookshop). Trade enquiries: enquiries@mare-nostrum.co.uk.
