Rare 1932 1st ed Ramsey Architectural Graphic Standards

"I have always considered my Graphic Standards as important in design as is my pencil. Every architect loves it, wears it out, and keeps it within arm's length."

Philip C. Johnson (1999, from a special foreword to the tenth edition of the Graphic Standards)

The scarce 1st edition of the architect's "bible"

The 1932

Architectural Graphic Standards

by

Charles George Ramsey

and

Harold Reeve Sleeper

New York, John Wiley & Sons, 1932. 1^st edition. 4to., 30 cm. ix, 233 p. illus. (incl. illustrations, plates, plans, diagrs.)

The uncommon original edition of this classic text of architecture, a work that revolutionized the practice of architecture.  Handsome plans, sections and elevations showcase the materials, processes and methods in practice in the early 20^th century.

Bound in original orange cloth backstrip, lettered in black to spine and black cloth boards lettered in orange to cover.  Though obviously a working copy, this example is one that has been generally well preserved. The externals are bright; there is some use soiling to the spine and some mild surface rub to the front board. Lightly rubbed at spine ends and corners. Contents are complete and generally neat. The binding is shaken in the spine with some mild gapping between signatures. Prior ownership of Warren H Boyer, 1934, and his State College address penned to front pastedown. Several of his Cornell 1935 summer session, landscape assignment sheets and a drawing laid in at rear. (Boyer’s  1937 pictorial map of Presque Isle State Park in Erie can be viewed at the website, Mapsofpa.com)

Front and rear pastedowns have thin offset stains, presumably from drawings that had been attached with rubber cement. A handful of pages have what appear to be crumbs of dried out eraser gum in the gutters or adhering to the surfaces. A rather well preserved example of the first appearance of this landmark work. Near VG copy.

 I have done my best to show by way of the photographs below the several faults indentified above. Requests for additional detail will be answered without delay.  

Book ships at cost by service preferred. Insured, as always, at my expense.