Blottas - Traité complet du Toisé des Ouvrages de Maçonnerie - 1839

BLOTTAS

Complete Treatise on the Surveying of Masonry Works.

Paris, at Carilian-Goery and V. Dalmont, 1839

2 volumes in-8 (21 x 13 cm), half calf (period binding), smooth decorated spine, [4]-380; [4]-398 pages (complete). 1 corner damaged, tips, spine, and hinges rubbed, foxing. Overall condition acceptable nonetheless.

Decorative edition with 19 fold-out plates.

The author claims to have provided with this work one of the first systematic treatments of a difficult subject in the field of real estate construction, namely the method of 'gauging' the quality of materials and the level of finishing of real estate works at the end of the contracted works. All of this aims to eliminate mere empiricism, which gave way to a 'chaos of abuse, errors, and prejudices that were referred to under the title of customs and usages,' and to countless disputes between clients and contractors.
The treatise revolves around 1727 cases and methods for evaluating the work carried out, addressing the quality of materials used, finishing levels, types of stones and cutting methods, various masonry works, the construction of vaults, and so on. The author defines himself as an 'Architect, Former Expert of the Commercial Court'.

Good specimen.