The Ship-Builder's Assistant; Marine Architecture, William Sutherland — 1766 Ed

£295.00

The Ship-Builder's Assistant; Marine Architecture, William Sutherland — 1766 Ed

Name: The Ship-Builder's Assistant; Marine Architecture, William Sutherland — 1766 Ed
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4394
Price: 295.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, J. Mount and T. Page, 1766

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 156.

Condition Report: Good. The book presents exceptionally well externally, having been beautifully rebound in a retrospective blind-tooled panelled calf that offers a tight and highly attractive binding with sharp, unoxidised tooling and brilliant gilt lettering to the spine. The hinges and joints are pristine with an absolute absence of shelf-wear. Internally, the 18th-century textblock shows expected signs of age, including general toning, moderate foxing, and occasional light dampstaining to the margins. Crucially, while the text remains entirely legible and structurally sound, the volume lacks the majority of the folding copperplate originally facing page 88. The remaining two plates called for in this printing are present. Ultimately, this is a structurally superb and handsome copy.

Catalogue Note: This mid-18th-century edition of William Sutherland’s celebrated treatise was issued by the premier maritime publishing house, J. Mount and T. Page on Tower-Hill. Originally published in 1711, the text remained the definitive manual for English shipwrights and mariners for nearly a century, offering vital instruction during the height of the Age of Sail. This particular copy is notable for its exquisite modern retrospective binding, which faithfully replicates the blind-tooled panelled calf style typical of the Georgian era, elevating its aesthetic appeal for the collector's shelf.

While Sutherland's work relied on multiple engraved folding plates to illustrate complex geometry and naval drafting techniques, early editions on the open market are exceptionally scarce. It is entirely common to find working copies with heavy wear or loss to the fragile fold-outs, as these manuals were practically utilized in shipyards and aboard vessels. Retaining two of its three functional plates, this copy serves as a highly displayable piece of British marine history.

First published in 1711, William Sutherland's The Ship-Builder's Assistant stands as a cornerstone of 18th-century naval architecture and maritime engineering. Written by a master shipwright and mariner, this comprehensive manual demystified the art of shipbuilding for generations. It offers meticulous instructions on extracting square and cube roots, valuing timber, drawing ship plans, proportioning masts and yards, and mastering the boatswain's art of cordage and sail-cutting. A fascinating window into the technological advancements of the Royal Navy and merchant fleets, this work is an indispensable artifact for historians, maritime enthusiasts, and collectors of nautical antiquities.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: William Sutherland

Book Publisher: J. Mount and T. Page

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Aviation & Maritime

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 156

Book Publication Year: 1766

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover (Panelled Calf)

Illustrator: William Sutherland

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.