Benjamin, Asher | A cornerstone of American arts

Benjamin, Asher

The Country Builder's Assistant: Containing a Collection of New Designs of Carpentry and Architecture. Greenfield (Massachusetts): Thomas Dickman, 1797

Small 4to (194 x 139 mm). 30 engraved plates, two of which folding; browning, spotting and offsetting, plate 6 with guttural dampstaining, plate 21 supplied, plate 24 with dampstaining, plate 27 with split to fold. Contemporary calf, flat spine with 6 gilt bands: head of spine rebacked, small repair to foot of spine, rubbing primarily to extremities, upper joint weak. In red quarter morocco slipcase and folding chemise.

First edition of the earliest original architectural work written by an American and published in America

Earlier architectural works printed in the United States were reprintings or compilations of British material. This work represents a classic and important American architectural treatise, composed by the man credited with disseminating late colonial details through New England. The work is elegantly illustrated with a series of plates depicting the influences of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders. "There is scarcely a village which in moulding profiles, cornice details, church spire, or farm-house does not reflect this influence" (DAB). 

Most copies of Benjamin's book were heavily used, accounting for its present rarity.

Rare

PROVENANCE

George Wager (signature to front free endpaper) – Christie's New York, 12 June 2015, lot 22

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 137; Evans 31797; Federal Hundred66; "The Colonial Scene-1602-1800," in Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, 60:1