The Marquetarian

Founded
in
1952

The
Society's
Journal

The front cover of the Spring issue

The Marquetarian is a veritable mainstay of the Marquetry Society.
As it states on it's front cover, it is the "Journal of The Marquetry Society" and has been in existence in one form or another since the formation of the Society in 1952.

In those early days it was produced as a duplicated sheet (or sheets according to the amount of content) and it was yet to be another couple of years before it was produced in the booklet format we have become so used to.

Those early Marquetarians didn't even contain any illustrations at all except for a small design on the front cover!

The Marquetarian has certainly come a long way since those early days.
Today's magazine is produced to the highest standards that are currently available. Compiled on Mac's and PC's using the latest version of the industry standard "QuarkXpress" publishing software, it is now edited by Alan Mansfield who has recently taken over the mantle from that most respected of erudite Marquetarians Ernie Ives.

Hi, friends!

Ernie edited the magazine for thirty years, taking over the editorship from Max Newport in the late 1970's. Ernie has edited well over 120 issues of the quarterly produced magazine and has introduced many improvements in that time, notably full colour reproduction of marquetry exhibits and plenty of instructional articles.

Alan certainly intends to do his utmost to keep to those high standards that Ernie set; from the look of this Spring edition, it looks like that goal has been admirably achieved.

There is only one problem with the magazine and it is this; we are afraid that the only way you can get your hands on a copy of The Marquetarian is by becoming a member of the Marquetry Society! it is an exclusive publication after all - and how about this for a recommendation: around 99% of the readers of the Marquetarian keep every issue they have ever received, they never throw them away! how many magazines can you say that about?

So then, let's take a look and see what you will find in the Spring edition of the Marquetarian.

This edition of the Marquetarian features many educational articles we hope you will find fascinating. There is much to read in this latest edition, so let's (as we've just said) take a look at some of those interesting articles you will find inside:

There’s plenty for you to enjoy and learn from in this Spring edition of the Marquetarian.

For instance, there’s a not to be missed series of articles on working with a laser cutter which is a very interesting way of working in the medium of marquetry.

Many people have the completely wrong impression that a laser cutter will almost do your cutting with just a touch of a button, but this idea is totally wrong. You have to compose a design (usually as a vector control diagram) then set cutting speeds and depth before doing anything else. For one off jobs (as much of our marquetry is) normal hand cutting is by far the easiest option, but if you wish to make multiples of a design with perfect accuracy, then a laser cutter becomes your best friend. It is perfect for such tasks.

If you want to know more, then you need to read this third article in the series. This article collates plenty of collective knowledge concerning laser cutters and cutting. It demonstrates the operating principles of these cutters and advises on the materials that can and shouldn’t be cut with a laser cutter. This third part deals with compiling the vector diagrams which will control the cutter head.

You must read about our forthcoming International Marquetry Exhibition. It is taking place at our location of historic Middleton Hall. This is a beautiful timber framed ancient building which has masses of charm and atmosphere. Here is a link to the info page: Middleton Hall

Read about a cache of marquetry memorabilia one of our readers discovered. Our reader unearthed a large quantity of early catalogues, designs, advertising and books and magazines all with a marquetry theme. The designs of the day are well worth checking out - they will transport you back over 70 years. Very interesting.

A friend we will miss celebrates the life of another of our most respected marquetarians. Unfortunately the winter weather we all experienced a few months ago took its toll of some of our older members. Sadly 2022 saw the passing of some of our very top marquetarians, they will be sorely missed. Luckily we have plenty of examples of their wonderful marquetry work on file, so you will find their work cropping up in The Marquetarian pages from time to time as space allows.

Happily, we have found an entire half page of space (carefully done for a well filled spring edition) for which we have been able to bring you the 20th edition of our very useful identification chart of veneers. These are all unusual figuring and grain patterns. These veneers are all genuine examples taken from veneers with odd characteristics in our veneer reference library and they are all featured in accurate colours. This series will provide a rather helpful guide for you when comparing veneers for your chosen marquetry project. Part 20 is at last back on schedule (for the time being while we have been able to find a little spare space). Each veneer example featured is taken from accurate scans of the genuine veneers and carefully colour balanced against the actual veneer itself in order to ensure it matches both the printed and true veneer as far as modern technology will allow us.

But, and then again, don't forget our regular 'Readers Letters' 'Chairman's Chatter' 'Independents Corner' and much, much more.

So, as is always the case, we have yet another excellent issue for your perusal!.

The full index of the Marquetarian, from
the earliest issues up to today's,
is available by clicking the
button below:

"Membership Form UK"

or, for our USA potential members

"Membership Form USA"

(everyone else please use the UK form, thanks)

Click any of the following links to read the very
first issues of the Marquetarian:

number 1 | number 2 | number 3 | number 4