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.

The early American was also interested in the lore and beauty of the English alphabet—as evidenced by the care he took in carving his initials on tools and other handiwork, the beauty of the handwriting of that day, and the ingenious working of the letters in old samplers girls used to sew.  Taking his lead from this, Mr. Sloane has arranged his beautifully illustrated book as an ABC, decorating each page with his own fine handlettering and including a brief caption to elucidate the origin and use of each object he pictures.

Craftsmanship and pride in the smallest detail of his work were keynotes of the early American builder and inventor, and this quality is reflected in Mr. Sloane's drawings.

From the dust jacket