House Architecture, by J.J. Stevenson, In Two Volumes, Macmillan and Co., London, 1880. Presentation copy signed by William Jack

This handsome two-volume Glasgow University prize set was awarded for Mathematics in 1889 and personally signed on the presentation label by William Jack (1834-1924), Professor of Mathematics at the University of Glasgow. A distinguished mathematician, Jack had been appointed to the Glasgow Chair of Mathematics in 1879 and remained in the post for thirty years. The presentation label is completed in manuscript for Carolus Thomson, for the class of Mathematica, and signed "Gulielmo Jack" in Jack's own hand. Bound by Maclehose of Glasgow in attractive contemporary prize bindings of calf spines and corners over brown cloth boards.

The choice of book has an interesting association with its presenter: before taking up the Glasgow Chair of Mathematics, William Jack had been a partner in Macmillan & Co., the publishers of Stevenson's House Architecture, and played a prominent role in the firm's affairs. Published in 1880, Stevenson's extensively illustrated two-volume first edition was an important contemporary study of domestic architecture, combining discussion of architectural principles and style with the practicalities of house planning and design. Stevenson (1831-1908), a Glasgow-born architect, was an influential exponent of the Queen Anne Revival, and House Architecture became his principal published statement on domestic design.

One of a remarkable group of Glasgow University prize volumes awarded between 1889 and 1895 to Charles William Thomson (1871-...), a notably distinguished student who won fifteen University prizes and graduated M.A. Thomson subsequently pursued a prominent career in Scottish education, serving as Rector of several schools including Larkhall Academy, and was also an author and advocate of Scottish national interests. A founding member and later President of the Scottish Patriotic Association, he is best remembered for his substantial two-volume historical work Scotland's Work and Worth (1909-10). His identity and academic record have been confirmed from the matriculation, prize and General Council records held by the University of Glasgow Archives & Special Collections.

House Architecture, by J.J. Stevenson, Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. In Two Volumes (complete).

Published by Macmillan and Co., London. 1880 First edition.

A very good pair of hardback volumes with calf spines and corners and brown cloth over boards, with gilt Glasgow University roundel to front and upper compartment of spine. With gilt and blind-stamped borders to covers and elaborate gilt tooling to spine. Raised bands and burgundy and black morocco labels. The lower black author / volume number labels are worn with losses. Some shelf wear and scuffing to leather and mild wear to spine. Some sunning to the leather at the rear. Joints slightly rubbed, and all soundly bound.

With marbled endpapers and matching marbled text block edges. A University prize presentation label to the front pastedown records the award to 'Carolus Thomson' for 'Mathematica', 1889, and is personally signed ""Gulielmo Jack".

The text is bright and clear throughout, with just some spotting to the endpapers. Extensively illustrated throughout with architectural plans, elevations, diagrams and details.

A handsome set.

Text in English.

Vol I: xii + 383pp; 

Vol II: (vii) + 303pp. 

Dimensions: each volume approximately 255mm high x 175mm wide x 35-37mm deep.

Weight: Approximately 2680g (the set - unpacked).