World Woods in Colour
by William A Lincoln
Hardcover
250 x 175mm
319pp
Published by Stobart & Son Ltd, London
R.R.P.$99.00
ISBN 0-85442028-2
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 11
"Of the 70,000 different woods known to man, fewer than 400 are commercially available. Many of these are consumed in their country of origin and are not exported to other parts of the world. The aim of this book is to provide a representative colour illustration of the most important and useful timbers generally available."
This is the opening paragraph of the brief introduction to this extraordinarily well illustrated book.
A mere eight pages are devoted to a commentary on the illustrations and descriptions before the book plunges into its Alphabetical List of World Woods.
No less than 268 individual woods are described. The "usual" name, botanical name and common commercial names are all provided; there is a statement about the geographical distribution of the wood and a general description of it. Mechanical properties, seasoning characteristics, durability and uses are mentioned and there are comprehensive remarks on that topic which is of primary interest to all woodworkers - the working properties of the wood.
It is, nevertheless, the large illustrations that capture much of the attention in this book. Well printed, in full colour, they are each 95mm deep by about 135mm wide. These illustrations, say the introductory comments, are reproduced full size from polished specimens of veneer or solid timber. Since the author was, we are told, the owner of a plywood plant and veneer supply business who also pioneered the revival of marquetry in Britain, it seems reasonable to assume that the samples chosen are fair representations of the wood. Certainly, the best known woods in the book appear as we would expect them too - with the possible exception of Huon Pine, the illustration for which is a little at odds with most samples one is likely to see.
But the usefulness of the book to an Australian woodworker depends upon more than the quality of the illustrations. It is equally important that it contain a reasonable number of the woods that are likely to be encountered here. An indication of how the book rates in this regard can be gleaned by naming the native Australian woods listed among the first one hundred samples: Australian White Ash, Australian White Birch, Australian Cedar, Silky-Oak, Blackbean, Blackbutt, Blackwood, White Topped Box, Celery Top Pine, Coachwood, Cypress, Red River Gum and Hoop Pine.
In addition, of course, there are other woods amongst this hundred which are either commonly or not so commonly available here. Some, such as Calantas, are imported; others, such as Douglas Fir (Oregon) are both imported and planted locally.
Overall, the book would be a welcome reference text in any woodworker's library with sufficient Australian oriented content to make it a valuable practical aid as well as interesting reading.
Photos: Colour
Units of Measurement: Metric & Imperial
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Alphabetical List of World Woods
Examples of Exotic Grain
Examples of Burrs/Burls
Table of Uses
Sources of Further Information
Bibliography
Index of Standard Names
Index of Vernacular, Trade and Other Names
Index of Botanical Names
Index of Family Names