The Practical House Carpenter.: Being a Complete Development of the Grecian Orders of Architecture, Methodised and Arranged in Such a Simple, Plain, and Comprehensive Manner, as to be Easily Understood; Each Example Being Fashioned According to the Style and Practice of the Present Day

Boston: Published by the Author, R.P. & C. Williams and Annin & Smith, 1830. First edition. 4to. 64 copperplate engravings. viii, [9]-119, [1] pp. Contemporary sheep, red morocco spine label; binding scuffed, front cover holding by one cord, heavy toning to front matter, front and rear free endpapers loose, usual foxing and browning The first edition of Benjamin’s “fourth and most popular work” (Hitchcock, who lists 17 editions from 1830 to c. 1856). The title may be an homage or borrowing from British architect William Pain’s 1789 work of the same name, a book that Benjamin consulted early in his career and used as a model for the plates in his first book, The Country Builder’s Assistant. The Practical House Carpenter marks Asher’s adoption of the Greek over the Roman school in reaction to the emerging Greek revival trend. “Since my last publication, the Roman school of architecture has been entirely changed for the Grecian” (Preface). Many of the plates illustrating the orders are derived from surviving Classical examples. With a glossary of architectural terms.PROVENANCE: John Davenport, No. 60 Milk Street (inscriptions on pastedowns); William Reese (book-label, purchased from J & J Hanrahan)REFERENCE: Hitchcock 117