Description
Mercer, Henry C. Ancient Carpenters’ Tools Together with Lumberman’s, Joiner’s and Cabinet Maker’s Tools in Use in the Eighteenth Century, Illustrated and Explained. (Doylestown, PA: Bucks County Historical Society, 1951) 2nd edition.
Octavo. [4], 339 pages, illustrated. Hardcover. Bound in grey cloth-covered boards stamped in black. Coated paper stock.
Condition: VG+. Clean and crisp with minor rub mark on edge of text block.
Henry Chapman Mercer (June 24, 1856 – March 9, 1930) was an American archeologist, artifact collector, tile-maker, and designer of three distinctive poured concrete structures: Fonthill, his home, the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, and the Mercer Museum.
Mercer is well known for his research and books about ancient tool making, his ceramic tile creations, and his engineering and architecture. He was among the paleontologists who investigated Port Kennedy Bone Cave. He wrote extensively on his interests, which included archaeology, early tool making, German stove plates, and ceramics. He assembled the collection of early American tools now housed in the Mercer Museum.
Henry Ford stated that the Mercer museum was the only museum worth visiting in the United States, and the Mercer Museum was apparently Henry Ford’s inspiration for his own museum, The Henry Ford, located in Dearborn, Michigan. The Mercer Museum houses over forty thousand artifacts from early American society. Mercer died on March 9, 1930 at Fonthill, the house he designed and constructed from reinforced concrete in 1908-1912.
The Bucks County Historical Society now owns Fonthill, which is open to the public, and the Mercer Museum. The Moravian Pottery and Tile Works is owned and operated by the Bucks County Department of Parks & Recreation. These three buildings make up “the Mercer Mile”. All three buildings were designed and constructed by Henry Mercer in the early part of the 20th century.
