1. LAFEVER, Minard (1798-1854). The Architectural Instructor, Containing a History of Architecture. New York: G.P. Putnam & Co., 1856.

First edition. Lafever was known as a Greek Revival architect, writing three books on Greek designs and details. The present book, published posthumously, encompasses a greater geographical range of styles. Plates 1-21 illustrate the history of architecture, 22-29 the classical orders, and plates 30-111 original designs (mostly for buildings which were built), the majority beautifully printed in tints or colors. "Lafever was to earn a great fame in Brooklyn later with a series of superb Gothic Revival churches, of which Holy Trinity (1844-7) is the largest and most famous, the Church of the Saviour nearby (1844) the most refined and exquisite. Packer Collegiate Institute with its rather prim, simple English Gothic is his, too, as are the stone tunnel and steps at the river end of Montague Street - a monument of true Greek simplicity. The Reformed Church of the Heights (1851) and the Old Brooklyn Savings Bank (1847), both recently destroyed, showed his brilliant use of the later eclectic forms that began to come in the forties; much of this work he included in his last great book, The Architectural Instructor" (Hamlin, Greek Revival Architecture in America, 1944, p.147.

Quarto. 111 lithograph plates, about half of which are duotone, and a few printed in colors. Quarter modern morocco over contemporary cloth (rubbed), top edge gilt. t.e.g.

2. LAFEVER, Minard (1798-1854). The Modern Builders’ Guide. New York: Henry C. Sleight, 1833.

First edition of Lafever’s second book, tailored towards carpenters and builders interested in the theory behind the trade. Architectural features like depict stairs, doorways, columns, windows, building elevations, cornices and other devices are illustrated over 87 detailed copperplate engravings. Hitchcock states that this work is complete with 87 plates, with no plates numbered 54 and 55, which are not to be considered as missing.
Hitchcock 692.

Quarto. 87 copper engravings including the additional title. Plates numbered 54 and 55 are not called for. Contemporary sheep (spine well worn, edges abraded). Custom box.