DAPHNE, Ala. — The author of “An Ornament to the City: Old Mobile Ironwork” — a book based on the tradition of cast iron — is coming to the Daphne Public Library at 10 a.m. on May 7.

John Sledge, who lives in Mobile, was born in Gainesville, Fla.; his father grew up in Mobile and his mother is from New Orleans. Close ties to the Gulf Coast formed a theme for his work on the material culture of the area, he said.

“My book is a celebration in word and image of Mobile's historic ironwork, most of it cast iron,” he said in an e-mail. “The text not only examines the colorful story of this building tradition in Mobile, but places it into the broader context of American history.”

He wrote the book to indulge in his fascination with building materials and building styles.

“I have always been fascinated by Mobile’s material culture, and see in its buildings, ironwork and cemeteries vital clues to why it is the way it is today,” he said.

“My first book, ‘Cities of Silence,’ was about Mobile’s cemeteries … All of this is more than of academic interest to me; it is deeply personal, suffused as it is with my own childhood visits to the Port City and earliest perceptions,” he added.

Sledge will present aspects of the book as part of the Daphne Public Library’s monthly Jubilee Mornings series.

He said his presentation will be “straight up talk, no audio visuals” and he will read from some of his other works.

After the discussion, Sledge will sign books and the Friends of the Daphne Public Library will provide refreshments.

Books will be on sale for $35; proceeds will benefit the Mobile Historic Development Commission.

The library is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 98 and Whispering Pines Road.

For more information contact 621-2818.