[Architecture] The dwellings of the labouring classes, their arrangement and construction, illustrated by a reference to the model houses of the Society for Improving the Condition of the Labouring Classes and other buildings recently erected, being an essay read January 21 1850 at the Royal Institute of British Architects. With plans and elevations of dwellings adapted to towns, as well as to the agricultural and manufacturing districts

London: The Society for Improving the Condition of the laboring Classes, at No. 21, Exeter Hall, Strand, 1850. Half-Calf. Fine. First Edition of Roberts's "most important" publication, advocating philanthropic housing for the working classes. (ODNB) Royal 8vo (257 x 167mm): [8],34pp,35-47,[2]ff,2pp, with 12 unnumbered lithographic plates printed on one side only and illustrations in the text depicting floor plans, architectural plans, and elevations of actual and proposed buildings, principally dwellings, including workers' cottages and lodgings for unmarried labourers. Handsome recent half-leather and beige cloth, spine gilt, end papers renewed. Pages gently and evenly toned, else pristine in beautiful bespoke binding. Goldsmiths' 37127. Not in Archer. Subsequent editions appeared, including that of 1867, and were translated into French. Among the scaled floor plans and handsome engraved elevations are those for the block of self-contained flats in Streatham Street, Bloomsbury, Roberts's most successful model dwellings. "A founder member (1835) and fellow (1837) of the Institute of British Architects, Roberts was well established by the time he was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1838, but it is as a pioneer of working-class housing that he is of great historical importance. The Destitute Sailors' Asylum, Whitechapel (1835), marked the beginnings of his practical involvement in the subject, and in 1844 he became a founder member and the honorary architect of the reconstituted Society for Improving the Condition of the Labouring Classes (SICLC). With Prince Albert as the first president and Lord Ashley, later earl of Shaftesbury (1801-1885), as an effective vice-president, the SICLC was instrumental in changing laissez-faire attitudes to housing the poor, largely by erecting and publishing a variety of exemplary buildings, all to designs by the honorary architect. . . . Roberts was also the author of numerous publications dealing with philanthropic housing, the most important of which was The Dwellings of the Labouring Classes." (ODNB) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).