Collecting Delaware Books
John F. Swientochowski died Wednesday June 19, 2002, in Wilmington, Delaware, at the age of 91. His obituary can be found in the News-Journal for June 20, 2002. An article by Beth Miller was published on June 21 with more information.
John contributed much to the world of Delaware books, including illustrating books of C.A. Weslager. Here is an article published in Collecting Delaware Books (volume 3, number 2) in April 1994. (The book ordering information is no longer valid, of course.)
WHEN 7-YEAR-OLD John F. Swientochowski's parents moved to Wilmington in 1918, they found a home near Old Swede's Church. John was fascinated by stories of the landing of the Swedes in 1638 and vowed to build a model of their ship. He is still refining that model three-quarters of a century later.
Swientochowski has just published The Kalmar Nyckel, a 39-page, large-format, spiral-bound book on the Swedish ship and its smaller companion, the Fogel Grip. Pages combine calligraphic text with brilliant color photographs of models of the ships built by John and his brother Stanley. These models are incredibly detailed and represent the best available research on the two ships.
The book was announced at the joint annual meeting of the Delaware Swedish Colonial Society of Wilmington and the Swedish Colonial Society of Philadelphia, held at the Du Pont Country Club on April 10 1994. A copy was presented to His Excellency Henrik Liljegren, the Swedish ambassador, along with a copy for the King of Sweden.
The brothers are a versatile pair. John is a recognized Delaware artist and studied under Gayle Hoskins and N. C. Wyeth. He has been commissioned to paint a number of portraits, including one of J. Caleb Boggs. His illustrations can be found in books by C. A. Weslager and many others. During his 30 years at Wilmington Friends' School, he developed a large syllabus for teaching Delaware history. John is also a writer, a lecturer, and a founder and past president of the Archaeological Society of Delaware. His reproductions of antique furniture feature exquisite carving.
Stanley is a photographer, machinist, woodworker, and modelmaker. He also crafts antique furniture reproductions. His most remarkable reproductions, however, are those of Kentucky flintlock rifles and pistols. The firearms are created from raw metal by authentic methods. Even the rifling is done by hand using tools made by Stanley.
(The following ordering information is now invalid.) The book can be ordered from John F. Swientochowski, 3606 Spruce Street, Wilmington DE 19802 for $30 plus $3 postage and handling. Or call 302 764-2466. Books will be signed on request.
John F. Swientochowski is also the author of My Polish Mother's Cooking, a fascinating mixture of authentic Polish recipes and reminiscences of Wilmington life early in this century. The second edition of this book, which is nearly sold out, sells for $10.