The Rules of Work, of the Carpenters, in the Town of Boston. Boston: for the proprietors, 1800.

Scarce American price book for Boston carpenters, in contemporary marbled wrappers. Signed, as in almost all cases, by Thomas Stutson, secretary of the committee which drew up the rules. Once a common item of American trade ephemera, most of these price books were used to pieces. Their purpose was to establish a fair system of charges for services rendered; this edition has prices listed in dollars and cents, an early sign of the move away from shillings and pence. Charles Wood, American Architectural Books 52; Evans 37003.

Octavo (148 x 91mm). 34pp., signed by secretary Thomas Stutson (dampstaining). Contemporary marbled paper wrappers (sewing coming loose). Provenance: Jacob Allen (inscription) – W.W. Taylor (printed label).