NICHOLSON, Peter. The New Practical Builder, and Workman’s Companion: Containing a Full Display and Elucidation of the Most Recent and Skillful Methods Pursued by Architects and Artificers… Together with the Theory and Practice of the Five Orders, as Employed in Decorative Architecture. London: Printed for Thomas Kelly, 17 Paternoster Row, 1823.

First edition thus. Complete in two quarto volumes: text and separate atlas of engraved plates. Bound in contemporary half calf over cloth-covered boards with gilt-lettered morocco spine labels.

An important early nineteenth-century architectural manual by the influential Scottish architect and mathematician Peter Nicholson, whose practical treatises helped standardize architectural and engineering education throughout Britain and America. The work encompasses carpentry, joinery, masonry, bricklaying, roofing, plumbing, geometry, trigonometry, perspective, building materials, and the Classical Orders, accompanied by an extensive atlas illustrating elevations, floor plans, construction details, ornamental designs, geometrical diagrams, ecclesiastical architecture, prisons, villas, staircases, roof framing, decorative moldings, and numerous engraved architectural plates, many folding.

A desirable complete example retaining both the text and separate atlas. The interiors remain remarkably clean with only scattered foxing and occasional light staining. Numerous large folding plates are present, including architectural elevations and plans for castellated villas, churches, public buildings, prisons, roof construction, ornamental details, and geometrical designs. Few folding plates have neatly reinforced old repairs along folds on the verso with archival tissue, remaining complete and easily handled.

Condition is commensurate with age and use. The atlas volume lacks the front board; the text volume has the rear board nearly detached but still present and secured by archival hinge repairs. Both bindings exhibit substantial rubbing, leather loss, and wear to the spines and corners. Despite the compromised bindings, the text blocks remain sound and the engraved contents are exceptionally well preserved, making this an excellent candidate for sympathetic restoration or an attractive reference copy for architects, collectors, and institutions.

An increasingly scarce early architectural handbook, particularly desirable as a complete two-volume set with the separate atlas of engraved plates.