BIDDLE, Owen (1774-1806). The Young Carpenter’s Assistant; or, a System of Architecture. Adapted to the Style of Building in the United States. Philadelphia and Albany: Benjamin Johnson, 1805.

First edition, first issue of the second American architecture book. "Biddle’s is the second distinctly American book on architecture, as distinguished from reprints of English works. The first was Asher Benjamin’s Country Builder’s Assistant, Greenfield, 1797, with successive editions in 1798, 1800 and 1805 [see lots 476, 477, 479, and 482]. William Norman’s Builder’s Easy Guide, Boston, 1803, though earlier, is probably a compilation" (Streeter). "A native-born American, like Benjamin, Biddle emphasizes in his title that his book is especially suited for American use, and that there is by this time 'a style of building in the United States' distinguishable from that of England. Benjamin imitated this title the next year in the form of the first edition of the American Builder's Companion" (Hitchcock). Hitchcock 177; Streeter sale 4174; Charles Wood, American Architectural Books 176.

Quarto (250 x 191mm). 44 plates, 2 of which folding (text leaves toned with some offsetting). Contemporary sheep (rebacked to style). Provenance: Daniel Hall (born 1812, a carpenter; inscriptions and notes related to his ownership of the book, life, and profession; printed portrait laid in).