John Shaw, Cabinetmaker of Annapolis
Baltimore, Md: Baltimore Museum of Art, 1983. Paperback. Quarto. Near Fine. Item #17491
ISBN: 0912298561
A nice trade paperback history of this important colonial Maryland artisan.
"John Shaw (1745–1829) was the Annapolis cabinetmaker who built most of the furniture first used in both legislative chambers of the Maryland State House. He was considered the foremost cabinetmaker in Annapolis during the late 18th century and was the designer of two early American flags.
"Born in Scotland on April 25, 1745, John Shaw was the son of John and Mary Cassels Shaw. He is believed to have immigrated in 1763 to Annapolis, where he worked for cabinetmakers or joiners before he began working independently. Ledgers kept by James Brice, a wealthy planter, show that Shaw was working as a journeyman in 1768 at the age of 23. He worked for Brice in a variety of construction projects.
"Shaw entered into a partnership with Archibald Chisholm, another Scottish cabinetmaker, in 1772. Together, they operated the largest cabinetmaking shop in Annapolis, until they ended the partnership to open their own, independent shops in 1776.
"Modern critics have described John Shaw as foremost of the Annapolis cabinetmakers working during the Federal period (1780 to 1830), a craftsman who worked ""across the whole range of cabinetry, carpentry, and contracting". His cabinetry was described in the Winterthur Portfolio as "a conservative and visually agreeable meld of the Chippendale and federal styles". Examples of Shaw furniture currently exhibited at the Hammond-Harwood House Museum demonstrate the inlay work popular in the Federal era which he combined with early Chippendale style fretwork.
"On May 24, 1784, Shaw purchased a house across the street from the Maryland State House. Located at 21 State Circle, the house was previously the shop and home of the butcher, Cornelius Brooksby, Jr. Brooksby's descendants sold the structure to Shaw." - wiki
Square tight binding. Clean bright interior, save for previous owner signature and address to title page. Mild wear to wraps.
Sold