From the private collection of Bill Reese sold at Christie's, Swan's, The British Architect: or the Builders Treasury of Stair-cases. Philadelphia, 1775: R. Bell for John Norman 1775. The first architecture book printed in America, a reprint of Abraham Swan's influential design book. “This copy with two prospectus leaves, for John Norman and John Folwell's The … Continue reading The British Architect
Mount Pleasant
The Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia
Thomas Nevell’s copy of the Carpenters’ Company Articles and Rules for Measuring and Valuing House-Carpenters Work, published in 1786, is an anomaly. As printed on the book plate, copies were loaned to members and were required to be returned to the Company at the time of their death. Indeed, the minutes of the Company record … Continue reading The Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia
Thomas Nevell’s copy
A New View
Ken Finkel’s post on the “Rise and Fall of PhillyPalladian” on the PhillyHistoryBlog along with the upcoming Beer Mansion Mash at Mount Pleasant this Saturday encouraged a visit to the house this week to check on recent developments. There is a cleaned up and restored path on the back/river side of the house but most … Continue reading A New View
“Cr: David Ainsworth
for a Frontish Piece Door in the Back front of Cap. McPhersons House towards Schoulkill @ 25 pounds." On March 30, 1764 another of Thomas Nevell's skilled journeyman, David Ainsworth, was credited 25 pounds for creating the "Back front" frontispiece at Mount Pleasant. His work had been measured by two leading Carpenters Company members, Robert … Continue reading “Cr: David Ainsworth
In Proportion to the Trouble 