Plans, Coupes Et Élévations De Diverses Productions De L'Art De La Charpente Exécutées Tant En France Que Dans Les Pays Étrangers; Recueillis Et Publiés Par J. Krafft, Architecte-Dessinateur.
A Paris,: Chez L'Auteur, rue de Bourgogne, faubourg Saint-Germain, No. 401. Levrault, Schœll et Compagnie, rue de Seine, F.S.G, No. 1395., A Strasbourg,: chez Levrault et Compagnie., De L'Imprimerie De Levrault, Rue Des Saints-Pères, No. 65., An XIII. - 1805.
Physical Description
[4], 25, [1], 27, [1], 18, 9, [1]p., frontis., engr. dedic., 30 [i.e. 31 (pl. 27 occurring bis)], 80 [i.e. 82 (pl. 34 and 36 occurring bis)], 63, 28 pl.; 502 mm. (Folio.)
General Note
In the first group of plates pl. 27 is folding; in the second, pl. 39 and 72 are dble.; in the third, pl. 28, 29 are dble; in the fourth, pl. 8, 9, 11-13, 17 are dble. In the second group of plates pl. 54 is misnumbered as 44, and pl. 56 is misnumbered as 6.
Contents
[T.p., engr. dedic.] - Discours Préliminaire - [Text and plates].
Responsibility Note
Most plates are signed as drawn by J.C. Krafft ('Krafft', 'K'), but pl. 26 in the first group is signed as supplied by Lomet. Most are signed by their engravers - Van-Maelle (Vanmael), Dauba(n)ton(s), Heluis, Boul(l)y (Boulay, Boulai), Charnau (or Chamau?). The engraved dedication is signed as engraved by Molé.
The title-page vignette and tailpiece to part one are signed as engraved by (Etienne) Besnard.
The work is dedicated by Krafft to 'Monsieur Le Sage, Ingénieur en Chef, Inspecteur des Etudes à l'Ecole des Ponts et Chausées'. According to entry No. 1693 in RIBA, Early printed books, 2 (1995), the frontispiec, (which is lacking from the RA copy), is signed as drawn by Alexandre-Jean Dubois-Drahonet (1790-1834). Other sources show that it was signed as drawn by his father-in-law Pierre Drahonet (1766-1817).
References
RIBA, Early printed, 2 (1995), no.1693.
Summary Note
The text and plates fall into four groups, having the following titles: 'Plans, Coupes Et Élévations De Diverses Productions De L'Art De La Charpente, Par J. Ch. Krafft, Architecte-Dessinateur. Première Partie'; 'Constructions De Batimens Et D'Habitations, En Charpente. Deuxième Partie'; 'Constructions De Ponts En Charpenterie. Troisième Partie'; 'Constructions Maritimes Et De Navigation Intérieur En Charpente. Quatrième Partie'.
Provenance
29 December 1820: 'Resolved that the following works be purchased for the Library, viz. - ... Kraaft, l'art de la charpente...' (RA Council Minutes VI, 184-5). This title is listed in A Catalogue of the Library in the Royal Academy, London, 1821, p. 15.
Copy Note
Imperfect; wanting the frontispiece.
Binding Note
19th-century half calf, brown cloth-covered boards; black morocco spine-label lettered 'Krafft. De L'Art De La Charpente', spine lettered 'R.A.' and '1805'.
Subject
Carpentry - Woodworking - Engineering - Construction - Frame construction - Architecture - Houses - Bridges - Marine engineering - Shipbuilding - Boatbuilding - France - History - 19th century
Manuals - Pattern books - France - 19th century
Pictorial works - France - 19th century