Historic Architectural Trade Literature

Historic architectural trade literature, including pattern books, price books, how-to manuals, builders’ handbooks, and catalogs, played a pivotal role in both guiding and advertising building practices. These publications were designed for a wide audience, from homeowners to skilled tradespeople, and provided detailed plans for various architectural styles. They also offered instructions on how to use specific building materials such as concrete, specialty paints, brushes, glass blocks, pressed tin, and decorative techniques like faux marbling or wood grain. Trade catalogs often featured product samples, like paint chips or color charts, to help customers make informed choices, especially when new products were introduced to the market.

Our collection of historic architectural trade literature continues to grow through library purchases as well as donations from Historic Preservation department chair Frank Matero. It serves as an invaluable resource for the Historic Preservation department and anyone interested in materials that document changes in design tastes, housing trends, and technological innovations in construction. It offers insight into building techniques, the chemical composition of materials, and the history of material use in the built environment. In addition to preserving knowledge of craftsmanship and aesthetic trends, these trade documents also serve as crucial guides for understanding the technical applications and ingredients used in architectural materials, such as gypsum and lead-based products.