Nutcrackers

Everybody has used a nutcracker, and this entertaining book describes the many ingenious methods employed and the numerous imaginative designs produced from the eighteenth century to the present day to carry out the apparently simple task of cracking a nut. Considering the heavy use to which they have been put, it is surprising that some of the earliest wooden nutcrackers still survive. Some of these are wonderful examples of folk art. While nutcrackers of such age and quality are scarce today and latter-day mass-produced metal ones are less individual, interesting figural brass and steel examples can still be found at accessible prices. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject, covering the history, development and variation of design and construction of nutcrackers around the world. About the author Bob Mills started collecting nutcrackers after his wife bought what she thought was a garlic press at an antiques fair. It turned out to be a Victorian reversible nutcracker! Bob is a member of the Nutcracker Collectors Club and is a custodian of a website used by collectors worldwide to share new finds and information.