The Practical Builder, Or Workman's General Assistant; Shewing the most Approved and Easy Methods for Drawing and Working the Whole or Separate Part of any Building, et al.

London: I. Taylor, 1778. New and Revised edition. Hardcover. Modern three quarter brown morocco and marbled boards. Near fine. [5] [7] & unpaginated pages. 27 x 22 cm. With 83 engraved plates printed on quality laid paper. Most images printed recto only. Originally published 1774, this was one of the major 18th century pattern books. It was reprinted in Boston in 1792. This and Pain s other works served as design sources not only for architects and builders, but also for cabinetmakers and carvers. Pain wrote many pattern-books which disseminated the Adam style. He was the father of James, George Richard, and Henry Pain, all pupils of Nash. James (1779-1877) and George Richard (1793-1838), assisted for a time by Henry, became successful architects and builders in Ireland. COLVIN.1995. Upside down signature on last page with small signature of David Howell's age 20 years. Raised bands, leather spine label printed in gilt.