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The Editors Mailbox

Williamsburg show: Roy Underhill builds unique Jefferson bookstand

Asa Christiana, editor, Fine Woodworking magazine

8 users recommend

Here's Underhill last week at Williamsburg. The 5-book revolving stand is at right.

This photo is a little grainy, but this is the way the bookstand is displayed at Monticello.

Here's Underhill last week at Williamsburg. The 5-book revolving stand is at right.

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A few year's ago on his PBS show, the Woodright built the same Jefferson bookstand he recently demonstrated at Colonial Willamburg's Working Wood in the 18th Century conference, and you can watch that TV episode for free.

It is a clever revolving stand that holds 5 books open at once. Jefferson used it to read multiple books at once on a single topic, turning from source to source quickly.  Cool idea. 

He covers a lot of great techniques in this episode, all with hand tools of course, including cutting breadboard ends.

More from Williamsburg • Hand-tool lovers converge on Williamsburg • Period Furniture society marks anniversary and honors founders • Thomas Jefferson's Campeche Chair • 2009 conference: Woodworking the Williamsburg Way • ARCHIVE VIDEO: Touring the Colonial Williamsburg Shop • ARCHIVE VIDEO: Colonial Williamsburg Furniture Collection  • ARCHIVE VIDEO: Antique Tools are Modern Made  • ARCHIVE VIDEO: How They Did It: Dimensioning Lumber by Hand  • ARCHIVE VIDEO: How They Did It: Before the Router  • ARCHIVE VIDEO: How They Did It: Before the Bandsaw

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Period Furniture society marks anniversary and honors founders

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Two blogs focus on design

Comments (2)

GeorgiaJ writes: Does anyone know if a plan is available of this bookstand? I have wanted to build since seeing at Monticello several years ago.
Posted: 7:22 pm on October 26th

hutch328 writes: Although it doesn't get as much "ink" as the cabinet shop at Williamsburg, I found the Joiners' Shop to be a much better opportunity to get up close, chat with the craftsmen, and watch them work. At the time I visited the cabinet shop, we stood over at one edge of the workshop and heard a good description of what was done there, but nothing was happening and there was no "up close" opportunity as with the Joiners' Shop. My hunch that it had more to do with my timing than with differences between the shops.

Bottom line: don't miss the Joiners' Shop! The toolmaking shop about which much is said and written was completely off limits--a big disappointment.

I hope to visit Williamsburg again and try to make my visit coincide with the Period Furniture Society meeting.
Posted: 1:45 pm on March 16th

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