Tomahawks, Pipe Axes: Of the American Frontier by John Baldwin (1995, Hardcover)

Baldwin has produced a number of these type books that cover various Indian related items all with very little substance but with lots of high quality pictures. Unfortunately it seems to be the low standard set by other authors writing about such items. These type books are designed to raise the value of the author's collections (& those of other cronies) due to their having been published in a book. While the artistic styles shown are helpful in dating and authenticating his conclusions are devoid of facts to back up those assumptions. Some of his own examples disagree with the dating chart he provides without explaination.

It is very helpful to see many high quality images of pipe tomahawks though & since this subject is rarely published it is better than nothing, albeit somewhat debateable in accuracy. In some instances he contradicts what was said previously. The shape and style charts are proably the most helpful thing although he contradicts these details in places throughout the text.

In one section the author relates a story where a novice asked Mr. Baldwin how do you know the difference between a fake and an authentic tomahawk his answer is just "YOU JUST KNOW". Apparently he is either unable to articulate it in a book or to people. In either case, the author is more interested in impressing the reader than than educating. Much of the text is rambling in nature with disjointed opinions not clearly expressed. It is a shame really because he had access to some of the finest tomahawks in the world from which we could have learned so much more with a more scientific approach.

The dating key to pipe tomahawks is more of the author's opinions which are not substantiated or referenced to any datable examples to authenticate his conclusions. They may be true but no evidence is presented. We are left to just take his word for it. Many experienced collectors and authors would & have disagreed with some of his conclusions on this key however it is nice to have at least something to start with, albeit imperfect. It has so many holes in the logic or direction of what he was trying to convey. The author often mentions his conclusions are based on scientific principles and data yet none of his data is presented. No footnotes. No references cited. No measurements are given in relation to dating although the relative small medium and large sizes of the various parts are often referred to. What size eye is large? small? medium? Specific tangable data would have been MUCH more helpful and supportive of his conclusions, assuming he had any. Its apparent the author is not too familiar with what 'science' really is.

The pictures are of very good high quality and if you are willing to pay that much for that and a few good tidbits of information then its worth the price. It covers ground that hasn't been covered by anyone really so even a scattergun approach to the writing is better than nothing. With interviews from the top collectors of the country it truly was an opportunity lost when so many tomahawks were available with real scientific data lacking. The dating section is helpful but flawed. At ~125 pages the covers are about as thick as the contents. Save your money & buy one of George Neuman's books or Harold Peterson's American Tomahawks--far better references & cheaper. If you have all those and just want whatever else is out there then I would recommend this.