The Bushman's Handcrafts
By R.M. Williams
Published by R.M. Williams Pty Ltd: South Australia 1977
"The Bushman's Handcrafts by R. M. Williams is a practical Australian guide to the traditional skills and crafts of the bush, written by one of the country's best-known bushmen, craftsmen and entrepreneurs. Drawing upon Williams' own extensive experience and the knowledge of skilled tradesmen with whom he worked, the book was intended to preserve and teach techniques developed in pastoral and outback Australia. First published in 1943, it became an enduring reference work, with this 1977 printing reflecting more than three decades of continued demand.
The book provides detailed instruction across a remarkable range of traditional crafts, including tanning and fur dressing, leather preparation, plaiting, rawhide work, saddlery, leather carving and horsehair handcraft. Particularly interesting are sections devoted to making an elastic-sided (E.S.) boot, shoeing a horse, preparing kangaroo and other hides, making whips and working with the materials traditionally available to Australian stockmen. Williams emphasises practical methods that could be undertaken with relatively simple equipment, preserving techniques closely associated with working cattle, horses and life in the Australian bush.
Published in South Australia for R. M. Williams Pty Ltd, this 1977 edition is illustrated throughout with practical diagrams and instructions and retains its distinctive pictorial cloth binding depicting the tools and equipment of the bushman. More than simply a craft manual, the book documents an important element of Australian pastoral and bush culture, recording skills that were once essential to everyday rural life. An appealing collectible work for those interested in R. M. Williams, Australian bushcraft, leatherwork, saddlery, horses and pastoral history."
No dustjacket. Sun fading to covers and spine. Book is very clean with no inscriptions. An excellent copy in good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
