Carpentry Made Easy; Or,The Art And Science Of Framing by William E. Bell 1858
Carpentry Made Easy; Or, The Art And Science Of Framing, was written by William E. Bell of Ottawa, Illinois and published by Howard Challen of Philadelphia in 1858. It remained in continuous publication through 1904, evidence of the book's importance to the architectural and building trades of the period.
Carpentry Made Easy was the first American architectural trade book to popularize the transition from heavy timber frame to light balloon frame construction. Although not the first book to introduce balloon frame construction, Bell's text was the first American technical book to thoroughly describe the method in such a way as to allow the skilled practical carpenter to readily apply this affordable building method. Included were the various major framing methods of the period for everything from small house construction to barns, mills, church steeples and bridges.
William E. Bell was a trained carpenter and joiner who described himself as an "Architect and Practical Builder", a term which at that time referred to someone who specialized in both building design and on-site construction. It was his careful selection of the 126 illustrations contained in 38 full page engraved plates, accompanied by technically precise explanations that any skilled carpenter could follow and learn from, that proved to be the deciding factor in the popularity of Carpentry Made Easy.
Gary Roberts, Toolemera Press publisher, returns to print classic books on early crafts, trades and industries. All titles are produced from the originals in his personal collection.
- The Complete Cabinet Maker And Upholsterer's Guide by J. Stokes 1829
- The Painter, Gilder And Varnisher's Companion published by H. C. Baird 1850
- Carpentry Made Easy Or The Art And Science of Framing by William E. Bell 1858
- The Art And Craft Of Cabinet Making by David Denning 1891
- How To Join Mouldings Or The Art Of Mitring And Coping by Owen Maginnis 1892