A Treatise on the Construction of Staircases and Hand-Rails, Shewing Plans and Elevations of the Various Forms of Stairs

London, printed for M.Taylor, 1835. Second edition. Quarto. (vii), [1], 45pp, [3]. Illustrated with 39 numbered engraved plates bound after the text. 14 page publisher’s catalogue bound in at the end of the volume. A detailed work on the design and construction of staircases by this prolific author of books on carpentry and the building trades. The first edition was published in 1820 but online bibliographical references state that this edition is identical ‘line by line’ to the first edition and that it may well have been made up of sheets from the first edition but with a new title page. Aimed squarely at professional carpenters and blacksmiths (with regard to the forming of ironwork associated with staircases), the text is filled with complex technical detail on calculating and building different types of staircases to fit the desired dimensional space. The diagrammatic plates illustrate the complex geometry of staircases, the construction of various types of staircases including spiral, dog-legged and eliptical types, their hand rails, mouldings and resting points etc etc. A scarce work, rarely offered for sale and with Rare Book Hub recording only one copy sold at auction in recent years, itself lacking 3 plates. Bound in contemporary cloth, professionally rebacked with the original gold-lettered spine laid down. Light wear to the extremities of the binding. Occasional very light foxing to the text pages. All plates moderately foxed and with a small diminishing water stain that affects the lower corner of the first 18 of these. Otherwise, a reasonably clean copy of a scarce work with the text block sound and the binding in good condition. Further photographs available on request. NB The price of this item is variable dependent on your chosen payment method. Please feel free to make contact for further information and to request additional photographs of this item or to discuss payment options. Size: 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.…