A TREATISE ON RURAL ARCHITECTURE

GRAY, William J.  A TREATISE ON RURAL ARCHITECTURE, plus, "Three ink-and-wash Drawings of 'Proposed Cottage for Sunnyside.'"

Edinburgh: W. H. Lizars, 1852. 4to. Publisher's cloth. xi, (i), (iv), 144 pages, 48 plates; plus 3 loose folding manuscript architectural drawings. First, and only, edition.

Gray was a Berwickshire architect.  What distinguishes his Treatise is its solid footing in Gray's knowledge of local improvements in Northumberland and Berwickshire, and the fact that every one of his illustrative examples was built by him.  Being a compilation of "plans, elevations and sections, of farm houses, farm offices, cottages, manses, schools, gates, bailings, etc. with specifications, and all necessary information as to their cost."  Edited by William Wallace Fyfe.  The plates show agricultural buildings throughout the Coldingham area.  Early owner's signature on front blank leaf.  Added with the book is a rare set of three ink and wash architectural drawings by William Gray for a laborer's cottage at Sunnyside dated 1867.  It was built in Tweedmouth for William Dickson, the Alnwick attorney who probably met Gray when the latter was working for the Northumberland Cottage improvement Society, under the patronage of the Duke. The plates include an unusual rendering of the entrance gate and railing; the roof plan and cross-section elevations; and the floor plans with exterior elevations.  On the back of the plans, Dickson noted that "There are carried out."  A most uncommon book and set of drawings.  Some sunning to spine and minor soiling to drawings, else very good. 

 

      $1,200.00