Noted artist Eric Sloane presents a rich and varied collection of American firsts—from the saltbox house to basketball, hex signs to ear trumpets, popcorn to rocking chairs. Niddy-noddy Jouncing seat Devil’s fiddle Velocipede Delightful words and even more delightful inventions, these curiosities and many others are vanishing antiquities of our country’s past of which few Americans are aware. Taking his cue from early Americans’ interest in the lore and beauty of the English alphabet, Sloane arranged this beautifully illustrated book in an A-Z format, decorating each page with his own fine handlettering and including a brief caption to elucidate the origin and use of each object he pictures. Eric Sloane (1905–1985) was a prolific famous American painter, illustrator, and author who published more than 40 books. Born in New York, he became interested in the field of Americana after discovering old tools and farm implements abandoned around his property in Connecticut. Besides being an authority on Americana, he was also well versed in meteorology. Read Less