Identification
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a beautiful first edition of Wooster Bard Field's seminal textbook on architectural drafting, published in 1922. It features an introduction and a specialized section on hand-lettering by Thomas E. French, one of the era's most respected authorities on engineering drawing. Bound in its original textured olive-drab cloth with elegant gilt lettering, this volume represents the pinnacle of early 20th-century technical education.
Story
Published by McGraw-Hill Book Co. in 1922, this volume represents the standard of early 20th-century technical education in America. Wooster Bard Field and Thomas E. French were highly influential figures in standardizing architectural and engineering drafting before the advent of CAD. The inclusion of French's section on hand-lettering adds significant historical value to the piece. Vintage technical and architectural textbooks from the early 20th century have a steady but niche market.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
The seller describes the book as 'beautiful' with its original textured olive-drab cloth and gilt lettering intact. Assuming standard vintage wear (minor corner bumping or page toning) based on the description, the book appears well-preserved.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Vintage technical and architectural textbooks from the early 20th century have a steady but niche market. Buyers include practicing architects, design historians, and collectors of early modern engineering ephemera. While not highly liquid, well-preserved first editions with original cloth bindings command a premium over modern print-on-demand reprints.
▲ Direct match on AbeBooks establishes a retail asking ceiling near $110.
▲ First edition status of a seminal 1922 architectural text increases collector appeal.
▲ Original olive-drab cloth binding with gilt lettering retains period authenticity.
▲ Contributions by Thomas E. French (hand-lettering) add cross-disciplinary interest for engineering collectors.
▼ Binding integrity is unknown; loose hinges or a cracked spine could drop the estimate.
▼ Niche subject matter means potentially long holding times at the high-end retail price.
Best Venue
List on specialized platforms like AbeBooks or eBay under 'Antiquarian & Collectible Books' with a focus on the architectural and engineering niche. An optimistic list price of $100-$110 is reasonable for a patient sale, while pricing around $60-$75 will encourage a faster transaction. Ensure high-quality photos of the gilt lettering, title page, and intricate drafting illustrations are included in the listing.
Upside Potential
If the book is in pristine, unread condition with exceptionally bright gilt, or if it contains notable provenance (e. g., an ownership signature from a prominent 1920s architect), it could exceed the $110 high and appeal to high-end institutional archives.
Also found — market-range context
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.