[PDF]The London cabinet-makers' union book of prices

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Robert E. Gross
Collection

A Memorial to the Founder
of the

Business Administration Lihrary
Los Angeles


The Business Administration Library has acquired the rare first
edition of The London Cabinet-Makers' Union Book of Prices (London:
Printed by Ballantine & 3y>/orth ... For the Committee: and sold by
Potts and Collison, ..., l5ll) for the Robert E. Gross Collection of
Rare Books in the History of Business £ind Economics.

Prepared by a Committee of Masters emd Journeymen, this book of
prices fixes the prices v/hich may be charged for all kinds of cabinet
work. The great value of the work is its relevance to the study of
wao;es and prices of the period, as well as to tlie history of furniture
design, for it contains long and detailed specifications for all types
of cabinet furniture. In addition, it is of interest as a document
fixing prices through collective bargaining, since both masters and
journeymen sat on the committee responsible for the work.

Books like this were meant for daily use in the workshop and
have therefore rarely survived. It was reprinted with few alterations
in iSS'f and again in l536, but the British Museum records only the
latter editions. The present copy bears amply evidence of its daily
use in a workshop; the corners of the last leaves are purple stained,
perhaps resultine; from an accident with some liquid used in the
cabinet-msLkers' workshop.

Richard L. King


nit


LONDON
BOOK OF PRICES.


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L O N B O N

CABINET-MAKERS-
UNION

BOOK OF PRlCESo


BY A COMMinEE

OF MASTERS AND JOURNEVMEX


Printed by DaUintme 4 Bi/uorth, Dukestrcet, AdclpSi :
FOR THE COMMITTEE:

AND SOLD BY POTTS AND COLLINSON", CHEN lES-STREET, BEDFORD-r
SQUARE; BAKER AND LVAL, WIIETSTONE-PA K K, LINCOLNS-INN-
fields; R.GOODMAN, SUN-STItEET, FINSBU RY-SQU ARE ; N ICOI.S
AND CO. WELI.S-STUEET, OXFORD-STREET; AT THE K INC's ARMS,
COMPTON-STREET, SOHO ; AND AT THE PORTLAND ARMS, LONO-
LANE, SMITHFIELD.

1811.


!•,•;


PREFACE.


:.>ijjJ.Uj :ji'

ji-T, length the CoMmittek are. enabled to lay before the 'ruADi:
the result of their labours, and they trust it will be found of general
utility. It has been their study, as much as possible, to dissect and
•e(juallise eaph piece" of • work, thereby to prevent those litigations
which have too', fequently existed in the trade, by taking work
from wrong starts; it being now rendered of little consequence what
•thefworkis called, or what its purposes are: at the same time, they
bave, in most instances, precisely named Avhat the work shall be
lita.vted from, according to its measure.

• t^-arious disputes have existed in the trade on the mode of de-
ducting for Backs or Doors of Libraries, or adding for additional
Doors: to do away that difficulty, they are now started without
Door's, and the price of the extra size of Carcase regulated accord-
ingly. The price of Doors may be readily added from the'l'able ; and
a clear deduction for Backs will also be found in a Table.

Many disputes have also arisen in the trade respecting the num-
ber of members in Cornices, or other Mouldings ; and as they are in
the present day so difterent from what they were formerly, the Com-
mittee Ibund it impossible to regulate them otherwise than by start-
ing all work without Mouldings (except in 'a few instances named
./hiiiid in


PREFACE.


ill the Preambles), and forming a Table and Plate of Mouldings, in
which almost every one extant, or by comparison, may be found, and
the workman paid for all his labour, and nothing more.

The Committee are aware this mode will be attended with trouble,
at first, in making out accounts; but a little practice will soon re-
medy it ; and the justness of the mode be found more than commen-
surate to the trouble, not only in this case, but in many others,
Avliere there are references to Tables.

But it is not the intention of the Committee here to enumerate the
different alterations from the old system — they will be best seen by a
careful perusal of the work, in the compilation of which they have used
their best endeavours; notwithstanding which, no doubt errors will be
found, and perhaps some indifferent language : — the last has been of
minor importance with the Committee, provided the sense might not
be misconstrued. They therefore hope for that candour which the na-
ture of such a complicated work merits. Taking into consideration
the jarring interests of the parties concerned, and the different
suspensions of the work, from imperative causes, the difficulties that
have arisen are inconceivable to any but those who have experienced
them.

Such as it is, we now lay it before the Trade; and should it
prevent those differences which have so frequently occurred, the
Committee will not think their labour misapplied. They have, in
every instance, done justice to the workman, and, they hope, the
master's interest has not been neglected. Where prices in the Cabinet

branch


branch are by this work estabUshed, it is proper to mention, they
are by the Coniiuittee considered as being allowed for work of
the best quality.

Hoping that " The London Cah'met-makers Union Book of Prices "
■will prove a spur to industry, and for the general benefit of master
and journeyman,

We remain

Your obedient servants,

THE COMMITTEE.

London, March 1, 181 1.


^


GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.


All drawer work that starts with common brackets considered block'd on

and finish'd, in the same Avay as mentioned in the Dressing Chest.
Taper stump feet, of every description, also to be taken from the Dressikc

Chest.
Partition edges in drawer work are considered faced with mahogany in the
start price.

N'.B. — The inside of bookcases, and other carcases, start coloured and
polish'd witli soft wax.

All deal tops and bottoms of carcases considered faced with mahogany;

when not faced, no deduction to take place.
The bottoms of carcases, straight or swcep'd, where doors arc introduced,

considered rabbeted in their respective starts, unless otherwise mentioned^
Wlicn rails, half the width of a deal each, arc dovetail'd at the front and back

of carcase work, and the tup scrcw'd on ditto, no extja charge to be

made.
Each extra rail, three feet long, 4d,
Every six inches longer, extra ]d.
Outside drawers, cither in carcase or tabic work, to start with Jocks and

handles, except otherwise mentioned in the preamble.
.Sham drawers, where they occur in the start, are considered to have handles

and an escutcheon, the same as the drawers in the same job.
All outsides of backs, tops or bottoms of carcase work, the insides of table

rails, &c. to start coloured.
If no back to a carcase, deduct as per Table No. 18.

b


GENERAL OBSERVATION'S.

Colouring and polishing drawer bottoms, per foot superficial id.

Ditto drawer fronts — See pages 347 and 351.

The inside of funiiturc and seci'etar}' drawers ahtl ehds of bookcases are

considered polislfd \\'ith turpentine and wax; and if not polish-Vl, no de-
duction to take place.
When backs of bookcases are made of mahogany, the polishing to be paid

for per foot superficial Id.
"When the edges of shelves for bookcases, ^c. are. not feint-rounded, or a

quirk bead on each edge, as in start, no deduction to take place.
If extra members are introduced on the edges of shelves, deduct for feint-
rounding, and add as per Tables No. 16 and 17.
No joints in bookcase shelves, bottoms, or backs of carcases, to be paid for,

except when the stuff is broke down, or does not average eight inches

A\ide.
■All carcase work to measure on the carcase, and table work on the top.
Libraries, wardrobes, &c. to measure on the bottom carcase.
^Vhen cornice frames are rabbeted, and the ends of carcases to receive ditto,

each side of cornice frame or end of carcase \hd.
^Vhen an inclos'd pier-table or a pedestal is framed into legs, instead of

being put together as a carcase, add for four legs extra, when the job

starts with stump feet put in with a pin, 5s.
Ditto, extra from the stump feet put in w ith tenons, 4s.
Sofa-table, Pembroke-table, sofa-writing-table, or chamber-table tops, made

of inch stuff, to be extra per superficial foot Id.
All rails of tables above and below drawers are considered faced Viith

mahogany in the start.
No extra to be charged on a single job, except mentioned in the respective

extras.
All swcep'd table rails to be paid for cutting out and gluing up as per Table,

except othcrw ise mentioned in the preamble.
All straight cltmps considered ploiigh'd and tongued on, except otherwise

mentioiied in preamble.


GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

When drawers or doors are introduced against projecting legs or breaks, for

extra price of ditto — See Straight-front Pier Table, />an-e Ij'j.
All work is settled ■without any mouldings in the start, except otherwise

mentioned in the prcumhlc.
M'hen marble tops are introduced on any work, deduct for mahogany top

from plain slab in Dining Tables, page 208.
Polishing the underside of pillar-and-claw tables, and the flaps of dinin<>-

tables, is included in the price given for the tops.
The front of the cistern in cylinder-fall wash-hand table is considered

veneer'd in the start.
For triangular block to loo table, — See Woric-stand, No. 1.
Sawing legs out of stuff under IJ inch thick not to be paid for.
When a secretary drawer is introduced into any piece of work, deduct the

price of the drawer taken out for its reception, then add the price of the

Secretary Drawer, page 5S.
When a band or string is routed in on tops, to be measured on the edge of

table.
Fixed hanging stiles to be considered as pilasters.
Loose scribing pieces to be paid by time.
A\'hen tlie fronts of claws are veneer'd, the veneer is considered not to be

mitred.
Moulds and cauls for general use to be provided for the workman, or paid for

by time.
Filling up holes and reducing or lining up slabs to be paid for by time.


V The Co.mmittee recommend that the workman, in making out his
accounts, will put the page to the various items at tlie end of the line in his
bill.— Doing which will be no inconvenience to the journeyman, and it will
save a considerable time to the pnrty that examines the account.


GENERAL INDEX.


B


Page


Bedstead, table

• •

42

Bedstead, bureau .

• •

44

Bedstead, press

• •

4(i

Bedstead, library-press, \vi

th breaks

49

Bureau ....

.

66

Bookcase

•

67

Bookcase, library, straiglit-i rout .

70

Bookcase, library, with breaks

73

Bason-stand

•

241

Bason-stand, corner

•

243

Bason-stand, square, inclosed

245

Bidet ....

260

Bidet, box-top

261

Bidet, portable

262

Bottle-tray, No. 1

283

Bottle-tray, square, No. 2

284

Bottle-carrier, hexagon

. 285

Butler's-tray

. 287

Book shelves, hanging

. 293

Book shelves, open

. 294

Bed-steps

310, 31

1, SIC

Bed table .

.

. 314

Carcase, open

Case for the inside of a carcase


25
89


Clothes-press, low

Clothes-press

Clothes-press, round-front

Clothes-press, wing

Cabinet, straight-front .

Chamber table

Card table, square

Card table, square, on pillar and claw

Card table, circular

Card table with round corners

Card table with round corners,

on pillar and claws .
Card table with canted corners
Card table with canted corners, on

pillar and claws
Card table, quarter-round corners
Card table, quarter-round corners,

on pillar and claws .
Card table, ovalo corners
Card table, ovalo corner!, on pillar

and claws .
Cfllarel, square. No. 1
Cellaret, No. 2
Cellaret, taper. No. 3
Cellaret, No. 4
Cellaret,, No. 5
Clothes-horse, No. 1
Clothes-horse, folding, No. 2


Page

23

35

37

39

77

79

139

s 141

142

144

145
146

147
147

148
MS

loO
275
277
278
346
327
300
301


GENERAL INDEX.


Canterbury


Page

31j


D


Dressing or lobby cliest

Dressing or lobby chest, round-front

Dicssing-cliest, knee-hole

Double-cliest

Double-chest, round-front

Dining table, square

Dining table, ii;ilf-round

Dining tiibio, pillar and claw

Dining table, horse-shoe ,

Dressing table, lady's, No. 1

Dressing table, lady's, No. 2

Dressing tnble, No. 3

Desk, cylinder-fall

Desk, tambour

Desk table. No. 1 .

Desk table, No. Q

Desk, counting-house, No. 1

Desk, counting-house, double

Dumb-waiter

Deductions for deal and wainscot


1

18

24

30

31

G02

205

208

214

229

231

234

102

107

205
266
267
271
30!)
330


Furniture drawer . ... 50

Flaps 206

Frame for piilar-and-claw dining table 210
Fire-screen, horse . , .301

Fire-screen, sliding . , . 302
Fire-screen, folding . . , 303
Fire-»crcen, triangular bottom . SOG

K

Knife-tray, square . . 286

Kuife-case, vase, No. 1 . . 32 1


Knife-case, vase. No. 2
Kuife-case, vase, No. 3
Kuife-case, vase, No. 4
Knife-case, tapered


323


Loo table . . . . .214
Library, moving, or book-stand, No. 1 2y6
Library, moving. No. 2 . . 2i,(8

Music or reading stand (as in plate) 263
Music or book stand . . . 31(5

N

Night table. No. 1 . . . 255
Night table, No. 2 . . . 2J7
Night table, sliding-front, No. 3 . CJ8

P

Pembroke table . . . ,114
Pembroke table on pi!l;y and claws 128
Pembroke table, iinivirsal ur i,.\i\-

ing-flai> . . . , . 12y

Pembroke table, poi-cupboar J . 13 1
Pier table, straight-front . .151

Pier table, round-front, straight

ends 1.-36

Pier tables, quarter-round ends (as

in plate marked A ar ^) , .158
Pier table, inclosed, straiglit-froni l6l
Pier table, inclosed, with interualor

external break . . . .16.3
Pier tabk, inclosed, with rounri-lront 167
Pier table, inclosed, with ovalo enus,

and straight middle . . . I6S


GENERAL INDEX.


Pedestal

Pedestal with tapered ends
Pillar-and-claw table
Pot-cupboard
Pot-cupboard, corner, circula:
Pole-screen stand. No. 1
Pole-screen stand, No. 2
Pole fire-screen mounts
Poundage for hard woods


Page

. igi

. 201

. 217

. 230

•front 264

. 305

. 305

. 306

. S29


Secretary drawer . .

Secretary ....
Secretar3', round-front .
Sofa table ....
Sii'eboard table, straight-front
Sideboard table, round-front
Sideboard table with ovalo or hoi

low corners
Sideboard cellaret, straight-front
Sideboard cellaret, round-front
Sideboard cellaret, ovalo or hollow

corners ....
Sideboard pedestal, straight-front
Shaving-sland, No. 1
Sandwich-tray, square .

Sandwicli-tray, oval
Screen drcbsing-glass . .


58

62

64

133

172

178

179
181
185

187
189
237
290
291
299


Tops forcylinder or tambour tables^ 117
Table legs, and regulations for ihe
si/e of ditto . . . . J71


Tray-stand . . . .
Tea-tray, oval

Trio tables ....
Tripod-stand for fire-screen .
Tripod flower or candle stand


Vase


W


Page

283
292
318
325

, 325


320


Writing table, No. 1 . . .85
Writing table, library, No. 2 . 87

Writing table, library, knee-hole . 91
Writing table, library, circular . 94
Writing table, cylinder-fall . . 99
Writing table, tambour, No. 1 . 103
Writing tabic, tambour, No. 2 . 106
Writing table, as in plate . . 109
Writing table, lady's screen . .110
Writing table, sofa . . .112
Writing table with round corners

at the back ....
\"\'riting table, gentleman's, as in

plate 4 .... .
Work-stand, lady's. No. 1
Work-stand, lady's. No. 2 .
Work table, square
Work tabic, caiitcd-corner .
U'ork table, round-corner
Wash-liand tab!c,cylinder-fall, No/l 248
Wash-hand table, cylinder-fall. No. 2 249
\Viudo\v blind .... SOS


:•./


115

123

217
220
223
225
228


y


INDEX TO THE TABLES.


Taf>k
No. 1 Sawing out and jointing straight work and cooper's joints .

2 Lining tops, bottoms, ends, Sic. .......>

S Drawers anJ partitions, veneering ditto,&c. in straight work

4 Ditto - ditto . - - in sweep work .

5 Ditto - ditto, in eliptic or circuhir work, under two feet diainetci-

(SaTccarjing and wedgitig drazeer front in,' the references to this table.)

6 Veneering on straight or flat work ....

7 Jointing veneers, butt-joints, &c. on straight or sweep w6rk

8 Veneering table rails on straight or sweep work -

9 Veneering friezes or table edges, and mouldings on tal)le frames. (See

references to this totile.)

10 Veneering halt or three-qnarier circles, round columns, tops, bases, 8cc.

1 1 Doors, straight or circular ......

12 Veneering door-frames, pannels, or solid doors, and putting pannels with
beads behind ........

13 Cutting out and glueing on mouldings

14 I'reparing and glueing on stuff" for cornices

15 Working mouldings on ditto .....

16 Winking mouldings 3-8ihs wide, or under .

17 l>iiio from 3-8ihs to o-8ths of an inch wide

17 (Continued.) Ditto from 5-8ths to7-8ths of an inch wide

18 Framed backs, and deduction for backs

19 Framing '.op» or slider^ to receive Haps

20 Framing tops or sliders with Hush pannels

21 Lip[)ing and lining wiiTh cloth or leather
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