Classic Bowie knives, Robert Abels - signed copy

Classic Bowie knives, Robert Abels
Published by the author, 1967. Soft cover. Fine. 1st Edition. 97 pages.

The classic book in the field of collecting Bowie knives. It is rare to find a collector of this stature who was so ahead of his time. Collectors are fascinated by the niche these knives have carved into American history.
Bowie knives were carried and used by many famous and infamous Americans during a period when this country was undergoing the severe growing pains of a small nation becoming great. American frontiersmen, prospectors, buffalo hunters and soldiers all used these knives as tools of their trade and as a means of protection. Bowie knives were common in the sparsely settled frontier areas, the California gold fields (where their fabulous quality and fine decoration conferred status on the owner), the plains thick with buffalo and the batlefields of the Civil War. Many of these knives are not only treasures for their historical value, but for their great value as pieces of art. Some specimens, obviously the works of silversmiths and jewelers, exhibit beautiful craftsmanship in engraving, tooled leatherwork and metalworking. There is a slight rub a the top of the spine, otherwise the book is a clean, tight near fine copy. The Dust Jacket is only about good with some tears, and edge wear.
Ex-libris sticker to end paper.

Code: 50019