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Ancient Masonry by Batty Langley 3

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Jerehmy

Jerehmy

Structural
Aug 23, 2013
415
US
I've been reading through American Building: Materials and Techniques from the First Colonial Settlements to the Present by Carl W. Condit, and Ancient Masonry by Batty Langley is mentioned in the text. It seems to be a prominent book in the 1700s for construction showing details and design theory. Its also 432 pages long! I can't seem to find a reprint anywhere, all I ever find is people trying to auction the original (which was published in 1736).

Has anyone come across a reprint or a digitized version of this text?

Carpenters Company of Philadelphia has a book of construction details but its only like 150 pages long and no theory in it afaik.

Thanks!
 
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From a Google search on Batty Langley, it appears that he was a landscape architect who made sketches that were published. Not likely to find any structural content other than the outward appearances of buildings.
 
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They have designs of trusses up to 60' in length, seems pretty structural to me. The book is quoted as "one of the largest and most comprehensive treatises in the literature of English architecture". I feel like you're undermining both the importance of the book and its content. I know what the book is and why I want it.

Now, have you come across a reprint or digitized copy?
 
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Jerehmy:
Back in the olden days, there used to be places called reference libraries and university engineering libraries. They had a wealth of really good materials like this, because they actually taught these subjects instead of just saying Google it, here’s some software. We actually had to walk over there and sit down and read the books to gain some knowledge on a subject. What a quaint approach to learning something, and sometimes you even saw a cute gal. Unlike Google, most of the Uni’s. materials were vetted by knowledgeable people before they were published. Contrary to public opinion, everything of importance isn’t all on the internet.
 
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I don't recall my college library having many references available from 1736. Maybe some of you are older than me...
You might check on the Dover books, and if they don't have it, suggest it- that's the kind of stuff they publish.
 
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Mike:
That’s a nice link, beats calling them to find out if they have it. Now I can call them and ask them to dig it out for me, for when I get there. It’s probably not on the front shelf.

Jstephen:
I may well be older than you, but horses weren’t the main mode of transport when I went to college. The Uni. is older than you or I, and it probably doesn’t have the first copy printed. But, the U of Minnesota has a copy in Minneapolis and another in Duluth, according to Mike’s link. You just went to the wrong school, we tried to tell you. :)
 
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dhengr said:
Back in the olden days, there used to be places called reference libraries and university engineering libraries. They had a wealth of really good materials like this, because they actually taught these subjects instead of just saying Google it, here’s some software. We actually had to walk over there and sit down and read the books to gain some knowledge on a subject. What a quaint approach to learning something, and sometimes you even saw a cute gal. Unlike Google, most of the Uni’s. materials were vetted by knowledgeable people before they were published. Contrary to public opinion, everything of importance isn’t all on the internet.
Click to expand...

How is that a helpful response?

To Jerehmy: I looked on Amazon, ebay (including completed items), and ABE books and couldn't find anything. I would actually like a copy too, as I collect historical books. With a book that old, I think your best bet is a university library. They probably wouldn't scan it, unless you offered to pay them. And I bet their labor is cheaper than you would think. I just got a building department to scan some old files for me and it cost me $14, including shipping of a CD with them on it...
 
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If you can get it scanned it should be public domain as well? Maybe SRE would host it.
 
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Unfortunately, the closest copy appears to be 70+ miles away :\. I really want to own a copy of it for a reasonable price. I can't afford to bid $1,000s of dollars for it, or even $100s for that matter. Kinda bummed there's never been a reprint.
 
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Man, that would be a great score. I'm a collector of that stuff too. How are you finding the Condit book?

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
 
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Kootk - Condit book is great, albeit im only 20 pages in haha. I got it used for 2$ off barnes and nobles. I find a lot of the construction/building history books are more geared towards architecture, but the Condit book has a good amount of technical information that I appreciate.
 
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Thanks for the feedback. Just got one for $4. It's tough for me nowadays with physical books though. While I still love my collectible, physical books for the warm fuzzies that they provide, it's getting pretty rare for me to actually read anything that isn't in eReader format on my Kobo. Flipping pages, providing external lumens, reading in the crease, being forced to remain upright... it's all just too much to bear.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
 
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Well here are 8 pages of it anyway. Gives you a sense of the flavour.


More Batty flavour here:

More on Langley here:

And if you know of any Australian mates, you can use their login to view it here:
 
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