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BILLINGTON, John (fl. 1829)
The architectural director: being an approved guide to architects, draughtsmen, students, amateurs, and builders, in the study, employment, and execution of architecture. ... By John Billington, of the Royal Academy of Architecture at Paris. Extensively illustrated by plates and tables.

London (Place), published by John Richardson, and Josiah Taylor, Architectural Library,, [1829].
xv, [1], 383, [1] p., [10] fold. letterpress tables, 55 pl. ; 20.5cm. (12°)

The publication date of this, the first edition, is derived from the imprint lines of the plates which are dated 1828 and 1829. There was a later edition in 1833 and a second, enlarged edition in 1834. Nothing is known about the author. J.C. Loudon suggested "Billington" was a nom-de-plume, and gave the book a bad review (Architectural Magazine, I, 1834, p. 84). The running-title reads 'Architectural Director; Or, Pocket Vignola', and the text, after a long historical introduction, is chiefly devoted to a description of the orders after Vignola, with 'comparative' and 'detailed' tables.

Copy Notes Imperfect; wanting pages 193--204 (i.e. sheet S) and 383. With pl. 38--39 misbound after pl. 49, and pl. 50 misbound after pl. 37. Inscribed in ink on title-page Presented as a t[oken o]f respect / to J[ohn] Soane Esqr. / by the Author.

Binding C19th grey paper-boards, ink-lettered paper spine-label. Edwin Hutchinson paid 8d. on 21 January 1832. (Archive 7/16/29).

Reference Number 1704

Additional Names Hutchinson, Edwin


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