Susanne Schulz-Falster Catalogue Eighteen - International League ...

First and only edition of this study on the use of unbaked clay or earth as
cheap and sustainable building material in the construction of rural houses
and agricultural buildings in Tuscany. The author, Giuseppe Del Rosso,
a member of the Georgofili, reports an abundance of buildings made of
unbaked clay in the Val di Chiana, in the upper and lower Provinces of
Siena, in the upper Val d’Arno, etc., dating from the late 15th century,
and expresses the hope that this building technique would be revived, for
the purpose of providing low-cost housing and satisfying the demand. Del
Rosso refers to Cointeraux’s influential publication on earthen architecture
of 1785. In his well- organised practical treatise he explains what earth is
suitable for construction, necessary tools, wall construction, and how to
insert windows, doors, etc. His comments are clearly illustrated on the fine
folding engraved plates.
The second half is taken up with with an extensive correspondence on the
same subject between Leonardo de Vegni and Giuseppe-Angelo Santini,
supported by extensive references.
Melzi I, 341–342; not in OCLC, KVK lists four copies in Italy.
Early Birmingham City Directory
29. [DIRECTORY – BIRMINGHAM.] The Birmingham
Directory; or, Merchant and tradesman’s useful companion:
containing an historical account of Birmingham, from the earliest
date, and most authentic records; an estimate of the number of
inhabitants from a late correct survey; the situation, number, and
time of erecting, the public edifices, viz. Churches, chapels, schools,
&c. faithfully described; with observations on improvements and
increase of the last century. An alphabetical list of the principal
inhabitants, their respective trades, and places of abode. A list of
the several stage waggons, carriers, &c. that go from Birmingham,
to various parts of this kingdom; the days on which they set out,
the places to which they go, and the days on which they return.
Birmingham, Pearson and Rollason, 1777. £1,800
8vo, large folding engraved view of Birmingham bound as a
frontispiece, pp. xxvii, [1], 64; contemporary calf-backed marbled
boards, spine ruled in gilt, with gilt-lettered spine label.
First edition (mixed issue) of the 1777 Birmingham directory, illustrated
with a fine engraved view of Birmingham. Different from many later
directories, this one includes a brief history of Birmingham, with
information on the most notable buildings, form of civic government, etc.,
before listing all inhabitants/households in alphabetical order, with their
profession and addresses. Some two thousand two hundred entries are
listed. The specialisation of the professions is quite astounding, not just
button-maker, but shirt-button-maker and hornbutton-makers, compass-
susanne schulz-falster rare books catalogue eighteen
makers, scientific instrument makers, and metal toy-makers, locksmith or
pocket-book lock-maker, instrument case maker, thumb-latch-maker, are
all listed as separate professions.
This appears to be a mixed issue, having the prelims of the second issue,
but no addenda.
Norton 703/704 (no addenda); ESTC t190817; there also seems to be a copy
with pp. xxxii prelims, this copy collates exactly as the Bodleian copy; not in Kress
or Goldsmiths’.
30. [DIRECTORY – BIRMINGHAM.] Pye’s Birmingham
Directory for the Year 1797. Birmingham, W. Richardson,
1797. £1,600
8vo, engraved title, pp. viii (including initial blank), 100; uncut,
stitched as issued in the original wrappers; a little spotted and browned;
preserved in cloth fold-over box, gilt-lettered spine label.
Rare trade directory for the city of Birmingham, compiled by Charles
Pye. It gives a detailed overview of the inhabitants of the industrial city
of Birmingham, listing, after some general information on postal services
and dates, some two and a half thousand inhabitants, with names, address,
and occupation. A final index of professions indicates the main trades, such
as button-makers, iron founders, cuttler, sword-makers, plates, smiths,
etc., even allowing for a couple of strange combinations, such as ‘coffin
and picture-frame makers’. There is a long list of toy-makers, spectacle and
scientific instrument makers, together with merchants, druggist, & teadealers.
Pye worked ‘successively as watchmaker, wine merchant and collector
of taxes, besides being a printer an engraver’ (Norton p. 185). Pye had
produced his first directory in 1785, but seems to have encountered
problems in compiling the data, as is evidenced in his preface, where he
complains about the lack of house numbering, and mentions that many
house owners refused to supply the necessary information, as they feared
he was taking down names for the Militia.
ESTC t216757 (Birmingham, Bodleian Library); Norton 713; not in Kress or
Goldsmiths’.
31. [DIRECTORY – NORWICH.] The Norwich directory; or,
Gentlemen and tradesmen s [!] assistant. Containing an alphabetical
list of the principal inhabitants, their address, occupation and
residence: the Houses numbered. With the following tables, viz.
Streets, lanes, markets, churches, meeting-houses, gates and public
buildings. Court of aldermen, sheriffs, ... bankers, physicians,
surgeons, attorneys, and Saturday merchants &c. Coaches, waggons,
inns, coffee-houses, carriers, vessels, post and single-horse chaises