The Building News and Engineering Journal, Volume 47, July to December 1884

1000+ pages, profusely illustrated, including an early photo-lithograph of the Statue of Liberty

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First edition. Hardback, rebound in half leather (defective), with contrasting title label to spine. 32 × 21.5cm, viii + 1058pp

The Building News and Engineering Journal was established in 1854 and became one of the principal sources of architecture, building, and restoration of the Victorian age. Illustrated throughout with double page drawings, full single page drawings, architectural plans, and smaller drawings within the text, this journal documented and recorded buildings throughout Great Britain, as well as occasionally overseas. The eight page index at the start gives a good idea of the number of illustrations and topics.

Among the impressive illustrations are: an early photo-lithograph of the Statue of Liberty (double spread, entitled "Colossal Statue of Liberty, Now Erecting on Bedloe's Island, New York Harbour" the statue wasn't completed and dedicated until 1886), the new Admiralty and War Offices, Whitehall (double), Leamington Town Hall (double), St Saviour Church, Southward (double), library window of Muncaster Castle (single), Blair Mount, Minehad (single) and this is a fraction of the illustrations.

The text includes articles, building news, notices and adverts, projects, questions, the text to each page printed in triple columns.

Condition

The leather binding is in poor condition, with the front board detached and significant loss to the leather of the spine. There is old worming to the fore-edge of title page through to page 10. The main body of text, and illustrations, is in much better condition, with some light spotted foxing and minor offsetting to the plates. The inner binding is secure.

A very heavy book at nearly 4kg. Further images available on request.