Ashleys interest in art developed while still in high school. Ashley clifford w ashley includes 7000 drawings representing over 3900 knots. Ashley book of knots by clifford ashley, hardcover. The ashley book of knots by clifford w ashley alibris. Clifford warren ashley was born in new bedford, massachusetts on december 18, 1881 and died in westport point, massachusetts on september 18, 1947. 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 is without parallel when it comes to knot tying.
Born in 1881 in new bedford, massachusetts, clifford w. In that same year, in a farmhouse in westport, massachusetts, a man called clifford warren ashley, 53, starts writing a book about knots. A student of howard pyles, he is represented in the permanent collections of museums and libraries all along the east coast. 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. The artist who preserved the vanishing technology of knots. The ashley book of knots will make a unique and permanent addition to any library. The book contains more than 3800 numbered entries and an estimated 7000 illustrations. Although best known as a knot expert he was also a talented artist, author, and sailor. And clifford ashley is probably the world authority on the subject, so this should be for experts the definitive book. Ashleys 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. Ashley was an artist who studied under the influential. Ashley while delving into the life of ashley, who was a master knot tyer, maritime artist, historian, and author.
Here are approximately 3900 different kinds, from simple hitches to marlingspike seamanship. The definitive kind, that takes more than 40 years to compile and 11 years to complete, with over 7,000 drawings by the author, representing more than 3,800 knots. Ashley book of knots by clifford warren ashley, 9780385040259, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In the beginning of the book ashley tells about tools used to tie knots ands gives general instructions for tying knots. He gives an interesting explanation of the revival of interest in knots, on land and sea which is that the radio supplies entertainment while leaving hands free for other. This catalog spotlights noteworthy objects from the exhibition thou shalt knot. Mr ashley has included almost everything there is to know about them. Ashley, is the definitive reference work on knots, splices, and ropework in general. This book and a piece of cord will open a new and challenging world of practical adventure to readers of all ages. But in this attractive, wellorganized archive of more than 3,900 different knotspresented through 7,000 illustrationsthe art of knot tying lives on, both as a historical. Featuring every practical knot, what it looks like, who uses it, where it comes from and how to tie it. Ashley is the definitive and magnificent work on knots and knottying. Knots in books and articles around the world are frequently referenced back to ashleys book.
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. Illustration from the ashley book of knots garden city, nj, doubleday press, 1944 courtesy new bedford whaling museum. 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 contains exactly 3854 numbered entries and an estimated 7000 illustrations. Abok of clifford w ashley is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the american artist clifford w. 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. First published in 1944, it was the culmination of over 11 years of work. 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. There are over 7,000 drawings of 3,900 knots and their application in the 619 page knot tyers tome. Buy the ashley book of knots by clifford w ashley online at alibris. The ashley book of knots takes us back to a time when knots saved lives and put dinner on the table.
He tells when they appeared, something about their history, and what they are good for. Every practical knotwhat it looks like, who uses it, where it comes from, and how to tie it by clifford ashley overview this is the definitive book on knots. Download the ashley book of knots pdf ebook read online. Ashley has included almost everything there is to know about them. He was the first author to publish several knots, including what are now called ashleys stopper knot and ashleys bend. This is by far the best book i have ever read on the subject of knots, but its scope reaches far beyond simply how to tie simple bends and shanks. Ashley was born in 1881 at the whaling port of new bedford, massachusetts. His ruling passions were marine painting and knottying, on which he. Whether out at sea or in a pioneer cabin, knots were a part of daily life, one that is nearly lost today. Ashley book of knots hardcover 1 january 1980 by clifford warren ashley author 4. This book uses drawings to show how to tie the knots. The author, clifford ashley, was an artist as well as a sailor and this book was the work of a lifetime of fascination with knots.
The artist and illustrator together with the museums extensive complementary material on knots, a contiguous exhibition focus features ashley s works on canvas and book illustrations to give a comprehensive perspective on one of new bedfords most interesting and influential citizens. He sailed on many kinds of boats in many capacities, from ships surgeon to interested observer. Product information the ashley book of knots is the definitive reference for information on how to tie knots for any purpose. Editions of the ashley book of knots by clifford w. His drawings abound in humor and the text is full of colorful anecdotes. The entries include knot instructions, uses, and some histories. Published in 1944, this book is still the number one reference to all things knotting. Strange as it seems to the land lubber, there is a bottomless market for books on knots. The ashley book of knots abok 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. Precisely named and classified, they can be easily found in the big index. He tells when they appeared, something about their history. Ashley is perhaps most famous for the ashley book of knots 1944, an encyclopedic reference manual with directions for and illustrations of thousands of knots.
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