I found a great internet source for all sorts of things, archive.org.
Microsoft has scanned tons of old books and put them on here, plus music, videos, and there is even a powerful library, where everything that has been posted to the internet is archived. You can search for websites that no longer exist, or you can see what a website looked like 5-10 years ago.
But, mainly I wanted to share a few finds related to our field. Here is a search query of all out of copyright books on the subject of jewelry.
Here is an 1903 textbook for aspiring jewelers. I love that it shows you how to make your own tools, and spouses that a true professional jeweler would never buy a tool. This is a hobbyist thing to do :o)
Note the page on blowtorches. It is funny that folks get so worried about which torch is best to buy. In 1903 the professional jeweler used a Bunsen burner with a blowpipe attachment. This is full of very low tech alternatives to doing exactly what that high tech world does. Worth a thumb through.
Try searching this site for “ornaments”, “silver,” “gold”, “lapidary.” It is an awesome resource.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thomas Janstrom 02.03.09 at 1:41 am
Try this one for a really old text on precious stones and diamond cutting…. http://www.archive.org/details/diamondsprecious00emaniala originally published in 1867.
Michael Johnson 02.03.09 at 6:36 am
Yes, thank you. You can almost smell the oldness in the books :o)
Michael Sabo 02.03.09 at 2:18 pm
Wow, thank you so much for the resource. I’ve not time as of yet to “bask” in this delight, but I love the narrative and admonishments. What a find…. thanks again. peace.
Michael Johnson 02.03.09 at 2:56 pm
Glad you like the link. Yes, there is tons to take in on this site.
And, my admonishments would have to be very mild at best. I don’t see myself making a charcoal fire to solder, and while I may have gauged down my plate by hammer years ago, now that I have a rolling mill, I don’t see myself doing that again :o)
I just chuckle a little when I get a new “tool company” catalog. Most of the stuff in there is completely unnecessary (for me), but I can see where a tool addict might blow the bank on such. It’s the American way.
I just chuckled when I read through the book. It brings it all back to basics. None of the flashy gadget oriented ways to do things. It’s just plain and simple.
I can’t wait to thumb through some of the other books on there as well. :o)
Jerry Fowler 02.03.09 at 3:31 pm
I think that were a few things that I could add to my tool kit from that book and they wouldn’t take all that much time or skill to make and would sure be handy. Thanks for the link.
Michael Johnson 02.03.09 at 3:46 pm
You’re welcome.
Hey, I wish that I had the actual book to add to mine :o)