Table of Contents

Discover the romance of tramp art, folk art made made from discarded wooden cigar boxes, layer upon layer, one notch at a time, by untrained artists using simple tools and recycled materials. Tramp art crafters representing over 40 nationalities carved tramp art in America. It was also practiced throughout the world wherever cigars were smoked. These artists transformed the discarded boxes into pieces of utility and wonder.

Never before has the subject been studied in such depth. Over 600 color photographs document 100s of items, ranging from picture frames and mirrors, to boxes, bureaus, and fantasy pieces. The designs and colors reflect a naive sensibility and aesthetic that is at once charming and beautiful. Here is a rich assemblage of the history of the art form and a thorough the study of the artists lives and work. Misguided romantic mythologies long associated with tramp art are dispelled to leave an accurate picture of these noble notchers.

A foreword by award-winning author and art historian Barbara Goldsmith sets the stage, and the pages that follow both celebrate the art and deepen our understanding of its roots and practitioners. This book will be treasured by folk art lovers everywhere.