Weather vanes were used by the ancient Greeks a hundred years before the birth of Christ; by early Scandinavians on their ships; and were common throughout England since William the Conqueror; and throughout Europe since the French Revolution. American vanes were recorded since the seventeenth century mdash; among the first known is the copper cockerel; made in 1656 for the Dutch Reformed Church at Albany. The weather vane found a welcome home in the expanding America of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It was a jaunty bit of decoration that served an important utilitarian function and enlivened the whole landscape with its humorous and homespun motifs; bold and vigorous design; and spirited air of American individualism and independence.By the late nineteenth century weather vane design and manufacture had reached full maturity. There were several firms throughout the United States specializing in weather vanes; some of which issued catalogs displaying their wares. Among the largest and most important of these companies was A. B. W. T. Westervelt of New York City; whose extensive illustrated 1883 catalog; featuring over 550 copper weather vanes and finials; is herein reprinted.This excellent primary source by one of the principal manufacturers of American weather vanes offers an extraordinarily wide range of styles and motifs; including: horse with sulky and driver; cow or bull; gun and cap; goddess of liberty; dog; ram or sheep; Indian chief; hook and ladder with number; oxen; ocean steamer; Roman banneret and scroll; rooster; cannon; fish; pen; locomotive and tender; initials; lion; liberty cap and arrows; malters shovel and brew barrel; and many more. Vanes are illustrated with line engravings; are especially well suited to reproduction (all royalty-free); and are accompanied by relevant information on size; materials; and original prices.Indispensable for the architect; antique collector; and historian; this collection of authentic weather vane designs will also prove to be an unusually rich source of royalty-free art and graphic inspiration for the artist; designer; and crafter.
#3798719 in eBooks 2013-03-19 2013-03-19File Name: B00BX0P2VI
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Good book and service; Not the musical compositions I was hoping forBy Benjamin J. VreelandI just bought this over Kindle to play on the piano. Since I live internationally I thought this would be a good alternative to trying to ship internationally with extra shipping costs; time; etc. It came instantly on the Kindle and I was able to play it right away. It is a decent song book but one of the troubles with looking at a book such as this online is that you cant peruse the content to see what kind of musical compositions are in there. You can see only one page of actual sheet music and if I had been able to peruse the rest of the content I would have chosen a different song book. I wanted something with a more melodious composition to it and this fell a little short of my expectations. The book ordering and wireless delivery worked just fine. I set my iPad up on the piano and played right away. I only wish there was a way to peruse more of the sheet music for the different songs so I can know Im getting a composition that I want; like you could do in a real store. If only there were sheet music stores here where we live...0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy CustomerDefinitely still fun to play and the digital translation of the book is easy to read; fortunately.0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy ToriDecent