Good Work: The Chairmaking Life Of John Brown

by Christopher Williams

“Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown” serves as a great complement to “Welsh Stick Chairs,” the classic book by John Brown. Written by his protege Christopher Williams, “Good Work” shows how he and Brown built chairs using methods different than what Brown described in “Welsh Stick Chairs,” going into detail never previously published.

Brown was interested in the historical and social context of Welsh stick chairs — along with the craft of making them with basic hand tools. “Good Work” also takes a broad perspective, seeking to show what makes handwork special. Brown himself was given to describing admirably made goods as “good work” – his stamp of approval. (He even considered making this stamp official.)

Christopher Williams spent about a decade with John Brown in Wales building Welsh chairs. The book showcases not only the story of this relationship, but also perspectives from his wife, Anne Sears; his son, Matty Sears, his toolmaking son; his editor from Good Woodworking, a magazine for which Brown wrote a column; Nick Gibbs; and his nephew, David Sears. Brown’s daughter, Molly Brown, provides beautiful linocut illustrations. Brown’s own writing shows you how his approach both inspired and infuriated his audience.

If you’re a fan of other Lost Art Press books you’ll understand the approach of this book: methods are clearly explained and dimensions are included. But there are no dimensioned plans included in this book. The idea is that you as a craftsperson work some details out yourself – an absolute guarantee that the chair you build will not be a cookie cutter “John Brown” Welsh stick chair but rather fully your own.

Hardcover, 208 pages, 8 1/2″ x 11″. Full color with historical photographs (many never previously published) and Molly Brown’s linocut illustrations. Like all Lost Art Press books, it’s printed on heavy coated paper with a matte finish to make it easy to read and wrapped in a durable tear-resistant laminated dust jacket. The book’s pages are sewn, glued and taped – then covered in heavy boards and cotton cloth – to create a book that will last for generations. Produced and printed in the USA.

Pages: 208
Binding: HC
Publisher: Lost Art Press