Oikidia [in Greek], or, Nutshells: Being Ichnographic Distributions for small villas; chiefly upon Oeconomical Principles. In Seven Classes. With Occasional Remarks; [bound with] CLAVERING, Robert. An Essay on the Construction and Building of Chimneys. Including An Enquiry into the common Causes of their Smoaking, And The most effectual Remedies for removing so intolerable a Nuisance; With A Table to proportion Chimneys to the Size of the Room. Illustrated with Proper Figures. London: Printed for I. Taylor, 1779.

First editions of two widely read works of late 18th-century architecture, by a contrarian architect and a prominent carpenter-builder. James Peacock (c.1738-1814) spent much of his career working alongside George Dance in the City of London, where they rebuilt Newgate Prison and laid out Finsbury Square. His Oikidia probably draws on the latter project, outlining impeccably symmetrical plans for suburban villas at a time when picturesque ideals were pushing more architects towards studied asymmetry. The Essay by Robert Clavering reflects contemporary thinking on an equally vital aspect of architecture: chimneys. John Soane, designer of the Bank of England, knew and rated Clavering's Essay: he had his copy bound together with Franklin's Observations on smoky chimneys (also 1793). ESTC T42147 and T91283; Harris 133 and 694. 2 works bound in 1 vol., octavo (199 x 127 mm), pp. [iv], 89, [1]; pp. viii, 100, Essay bound without final two advertisement leaves. With 27 engraved plates (Oikidia), folding engraved diagram and folding letterpress table (Essay). Contemporary mottled calf, spine ruled decoratively in gilt. Light bumping and rubbing, infrequent minor foxing to contents: a very good copy indeed.…