Encyclopedia of architecture. Two-vol. set.

New York: Martin and Johnson. Hardcover. Fair+/None. Not a reprint or print-on-demand, this appears to be an original set of one of the many editions of this book, which are scarce now on the marketplace. In light brown suede and leather boards with banded spine; bands of red and black with gilt titling on spine; Front covers decorated with embossed floral border. Marbled end papers: blue, yellow, and red on a ground of gray. Owner's name on front and rear end papers (in pencil on front). Front hinges are cracked on the exterior. Edgeworn and with chips to spine ends; first vol. spine head has backstrip detaching via a 2-in. horizontal closed tear. Interiors are unmarked, though lightly foxed. Bindings are sound. Undated; ca. 1850? Heavy small folio. (Extra postage may apply.) BOOK INFO: A dictionary of the science and practice of architecture, building, carpentry, etc., from the earliest ages to the present time, forming a comprehensive work of reference for the use of architects, builders, carpenters, masons, engineers, students, professional men, and amateurs. Edited by Edward Lomax and Thomas Gunyon. Illustrated with 230 engravings on steel, mostly from working drawings in detail. Issued in parts, London, 1811-1819, under title: Architectural dictionary. Appeared with variations of title in several editions, and was largely rewritten by Lomax and Gunyon. 'It is the design of the present work to give an account, not only of Architecture itself, but also of the various other Arts and Sciences connected with it, and without which a comprehensive and complete knowledge of it cannot be attained.' (-from the preface of the American Edition). Vol. 1, (Aba.-Hyp.), 516 pp. plus terminal section of aforementioned plates, which are full-page, one per page. Vol. 2, (Ice.-Zot.), 604 pp. with similar additional section of plates. Peter Nicholson (20 July 1765 ? 18 June 1844) was a Scottish architect, mathematician and engineer. Largely self-taught, he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker but soon abandoned his trade in favour of teaching and writing. He practised as an architect but is best remembered for his theoretical work on the skew arch (he never actually constructed one himself), his invention of draughtsman's instruments, including a centrolinead and a cyclograph, and his prolific writing on numerous practical subjects.