Silver Smiths Handbook
SilverSmithsHandbook.com will be a website with the content from the 1921 book of the same name.
According to George E. Gee, the author, the purpose of the book was to be “a work of references for which workmne, apprentices, may find information which will be of assistance to them in their daily duties, and by which their operations may be more successful.”
The first edition was written in the later 1800’s and was successful enough that the fifth edition was published in 1921.
The fact is, many aspects of silver smithing haven’t changed since then. Modern silversmiths have more convenient ways to heat their metal, and can buy raw silver is a larger variety of shapes and forms. They also have access to power tools that make some aspects of silver smithing, such as planishing, easier.
As there is time we will also be adding the content from Metalwork and Enamelling, a 1923 book which also focuses on the practical aspects of gold and silver enameling, as apposed to the artistic.
When these are done I think we will have an extremely interesting site which will be very helpful to silversmiths.