Illustrated Catalogue and Price List of Copper Weather Vanes, Tower Ornaments, Finials, Church Crosses and Emblematic Signs, Gilded with Pure Gold Leaf -- manufactured by Thomas W. Jones, successor to Charles C. Briggs and V.W.  Baldwin Nos. 170 172 Front Street, New York. 

Reprinted by Nation Builder Books, Mebane, NC, 2024.  8½  x 9½ paperbound, 80 pages. 

Reproduced from a late 20the century facsimile, which is undated. 

Please note this book is new, not used. It is a high quality photocopied reproduction, not an original.

The back cover carries the note that Thomas W. Jones was the successor to Charles C. Briggs and V.W.  Baldwin. The December 1882 issue of Building Age included an ad for “Thomas W. Jones , successor to Chas. C. Briggs and V.W.  Baldwin.”

The firm was originally begun by V. W. Baldwin around 1862. It was acquired by

Charles C. Briggs at an unknown date. In 1882, Briggs sold the company to Thomas W. Jones, who continued in business well into the first or second decade of the 20th century.

Weather vanes were used by the ancient Greeks a hundred years before the birth of Christ; by early Scandinavians on their ships; were common throughout England since William the Conqueror, and throughout Europe since the French Revolution. The first known American weather vane is the copper cockerel made in 1656 for the Dutch Reformed Church at Albany, New York. The weather vane was a jaunty bit of decoration that served an important utilitarian function and enlivened the whole landscape with its humorous and homespun motifs, bold and vigorous design, and spirited air of American individualism and independence.

This excellent primary source by one of the principal historic manufacturers of American weather vanes offers an extraordinarily wide range of styles and motifs, including:

This reproduced catalog will be a source of inspiration for the architect, antique collector, and historian. The weather vanes  are illustrated with line engravings especially well suited to reproduction (all copyright-free), making  this collection of authentic weather vane designs an rich source of copyright-free art and graphic inspiration for the artist, designer and metal working craftsman.