TOTEMS, DECOYS, AND COVERED WAGONS: Cardboard Constructions from Early American Life

Comins follows up his directions for pseudoethnic art objects (Latin American Crafts, 1974, and Eskimo Crafts, 1975) with some pseudonative-Americana and Bicentennial gimcracks. As usual he precedes the instructions and drawings for cardboard imitations with photos of the real thing--Haida house, Kachina doll, totem pole, Colonial cradle or trestle table. The comparison should be discouraging, though no doubt the victims of all those project-oriented social studies teachers won't give a continental for authenticity.