The artist who preserved the vanishing technology of knots. Ashley married sarah scudder clark in 1932, with whom he had two daughters, one of whom is practicing painter jane ashley. Ashley is the definitive and magnificent work on knots and knottying. Precisely named and classified, they can be easily found in the big index. And clifford ashley is probably the world authority on the subject, so this should be for experts the definitive book. Clifford warren ashley december 18, 1881 september 18, 1947 was an american artist, author, sailor, and knot expert. The ashley book of knots or abok as knot aficionados refer to it is a620page compilation of every knot known to man. I was in the sea scouts and i was amazed by the diversity and number of knots it contained. Book has minimal age toning to top paper edges, gilt lettering on spine a bit tarnished but still distinct, top rear front corner slightly rubbed.
He tells when they appeared, something about their history, and what. Pdf ashley book of knots download full pdf book download. Dec 18, 2017 illustration from the ashley book of knots garden city, nj, doubleday press, 1944 courtesy new bedford whaling museum. His ruling passions were marine painting and knottying, on which he was one of the worlds leading authorities. First published in 1944, it was the culmination of over 11 years of work. Ashley was born in 1881 at the whaling port of new bedford, massachusetts. Clifford ashley took notes on knots for over 40 years of his life, and then labored for over 11 years to produce the most comprehensive reference of knots and ropework ever written. The ashley book of knots hardcover january 1, 1993 by clifford w. Ashley uses the word knot to include knots, lashings, splices, braidings and other ways to tie ropes, cords, string and other such materials. The book of knots was formed in 2003 by three core band members joel hamilton, matthias bossi and tony maimone at. In the beginning of the book ashley tells about tools used to tie knots ands gives general instructions for tying knots. Featuring every practical knot, what it looks like, who uses it, where it comes from and how to tie it. Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
Mr ashley has included almost everything there is to know about them. Ashley while delving into the life of ashley, who was a master knot tyer, maritime artist, historian, and author. The ashley book of knots will make a unique and permanent addition to any library. Ashley s the ashley book of knots, which i had the good fortune to find at a yard sale for a quarter, this book would have just remained a thread of an idea. Ashley, author and illustrator of the ashley book of knots abok, created many original knots along side the multitude of historical knots he presented. Today you have synthetic cordage in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes and textures. He was born in new bedford, massachusetts, son of abiel davis ashley and caroline morse. When macrame became a popular item, i had a definite advantage over most people. Clifford warren ashley was born in new bedford, massachusetts on december 18, 1881 and died in westport point, massachusetts on september 18, 1947. A student of howard pyles, he is represented in the permanent collections of museums and libraries all along the east coast. The book contains exactly 3854 numbered entries and an estimated 7000 illustrations. The book of knots is an american experimental art rock band including matthias bossi, joel hamilton, carla kihlstedt and tony maimone. Ashley has devoted eleven years to writing this book, and it is based on forty years of looking for, trying out, and thinking up new knots.
Clifford warren ashley is famous for his stunning 1944 compilation the ashley book of knots doubleday new york a reference manual of thousands of knots with excellent diagrams. Ashleys interest in art developed while still in high school. Ashley s book even proved inspirational to novelist annie proulx, who said of her pulitzer prize winning novel the shipping news, without the inspiration of clifford w. The book and exhibition illustrate how knots are both ancient and modern, and how they are the subject of cuttingedge research and ongoing practice in mathematics, physics, life sciences. Ashley has included almost everything there is to know about them. The ashley book of knots takes us back to a time when knots saved lives and put dinner on the table. Illustration from the ashley book of knots garden city, nj, doubleday press, 1944 courtesy new bedford whaling museum. The ashley book of knots by ashley, clifford w doubleday. Although best known as a knot expert he was also a talented artist, author, and sailor. Ashley book of knots by clifford ashley, hardcover barnes. Published in 1944, the book was written by author clifford ashley, a sailor and artist, and this book contains directions on tying more than 3,000 knots. The fortyone chapters include knots classed under such general types as hooks, beckets, and toggles, the noose, and tricks and puzzles.
This book uses drawings to show how to tie the knots. The book contains more than 3800 numbered entries and an estimated 7000 illustrations. Get it today with same day delivery, order pickup or drive up. But in this attractive, wellorganized archive of more than 3,900 different knots presented through 7,000 illustrationsthe art of knot tying lives on, both as a historical reference and. Ashley was an antique dealer and artist, who spent eleven years writing his magnum opus, the ashley book of knots, and died three years after its 1944 publication. Ashley book of knots 9780385040259 by clifford ashley. Ashleys the ashley book of knots, which i had the good fortune to find at a yard sale for a quarter, this book would have just remained a thread of an idea. This catalog spotlights noteworthy objects from the exhibition thou shalt knot. I first came across the ashley book of knots in the late 60s when i was a teenager. A student of howard pyles, he is represented in the permanent collections of. This book and a piece of cord will open a new and challenging world of practical adventure to readers of all ages. Editions of the ashley book of knots by clifford w. The ashley book of knots 9780385040259 by clifford w.
The ashley book of knots is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the american artist clifford w. I didnt remember the name of this book until i bought another knot book and was prompted to view the ashley book of knots. Ashley spent years looking for and trying out existing and new knottying combinations, and not only in the nautical world. The ashley book of knots by clifford w ashley alibris.
The ashley book of knots hardcover 1979 by clifford w. The entries include knot instructions, uses, and some histories, categorized by type or function. Ashley who whos epic masterpiece the ashley book of knots is basically the bible of. Ashley book of knots by clifford ashley, hardcover. Ashleys stopper knot this knot may save your life if you. Clifford ashley developed this bend and believed it to be original, along with several similar ones. Ashley was an artist who studied under the influential. Born in 1881 in new bedford, massachusetts, clifford w. Ashley who whos epic masterpiece the ashley book of knots is basically the bible of knot tying. Find the ashley book of knots by ashley, clifford w at biblio. Whether out at sea or in a pioneer cabin, knots were a part of daily life, one that is nearly lost today.
Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. Ashley and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. The ashley book of knots project gutenberg selfpublishing. His drawings abound in humor and the text is full of. He tells when they appeared, something about their history, and what they are good for. Rather than giving it a name he simply noted the date when he first tied it. Here are approximately 3900 different kinds, from simple hitches to marlinspike seamanship. But in this attractive, wellorganized archive of more than 3,900 different knots presented through 7,000 illustrationsthe art of knot. He sailed on many kinds of boats in many capacities, from ships surgeon to interested observer. His drawings abound in humor and the text is full of colorful anecdotes.
Here are approximately 3900 different kinds, from simple hitches to marlingspike seamanship. It was the look inside feature that reminded me of when i first saw this book. Ashley, is the definitive reference work on knots, splices, and ropework in general. Clifford ashley is the author of the yankee whaler 4.
Ashley spent six months at sea on the whaling bark sunbeam. Precisely named and classified some new ones for the first time officially, they can be easily found in the big index. Buy the ashley book of knots by clifford w ashley online at alibris. The ashley book of knots by ashley, clifford w almost.
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