Millars 'Plastering Plain and Decorative' book

[inwood]

Has anyone got a copy of/read the above. From reading excerpts it seems a very comprehensive tome (over 700 pages) on lime plastering but at over 100 quid somewhat pricey.

I'm considering getting a copy and wondered if anyone who has a copy can advise on whether it's worth the money.

 

[essexbearhunter]

Although I have not read it, the following write-up of one edition (there have been several) by an American bookseller is enlightening:

Book Description: Dodd Mead and Company, New York, 1927. original linen. Book Condition: Very Good. Quarto (9 x 11). pp. xiii, 347, xxvi trade advertisings. 125 full page plates and 500 illustrations in the text. With introductory chapter by G. T. Robinson. II Appendices (Quantities and Weights, recipes for plastering, measuring plasterers' work, glossary of terms, specification for Portland Cement), indexed. After all these years, still the industry standard and unsurpassed. Of increasing scarcity, in any condition and edition (even the 20th century reprint is hard to find). Any professional plasterer will confirm that it is the indispensable reference for the tradesman. The most ambitious treatment of the subject, both historically and technically, beautifully illustrated and referenced. Present copy, aside from a couple of white (plaster?) spots on the front cover, is quite nice, solidly bound, and ready for another 80 years of service. As nice a copy as we've had in years, of a book which is typically "worked to death. Fourth Edition, revised and enlarged.

Also, if you don't mind it looking worn, another bookseller from Dublin has the 1927 edition for £65.48 + postage.

Amazon has a review from a plasterer:

Millar is recognised as the final word on ornamental plastering by those studying or working in conservation and restoration.
This is an invaluable guide to the history, materials, receipes and methods that were either long established or contemporary to when this was written in 1897. Millar has twice guided me through matching the processes of unique products I've encountered in ancient buildings.

This reprint includes adverts I've seen in the first eddition from Millar's own company and from others working at the time, really giving this book the context of it's time.

Sarah - England's Ornamental Plastering

Hope this helps

Ian

 

[BMcD]

Inwood wrote:

Has anyone got a copy of/read the above.

Yes and Yes. I wouldn't be without this book, I find it invaluable and am always referring to it, although it dosen't only concern its self with lime. At the time of publication there were many new inventions, materials and techniques being tried out (as no doubt at any time past or present) some of which you may recognise like, cement and EML, some not, presumably they failed. Recalling a thread I read recently about cement render, He has a very interesting chapter on Portland Cement Facades. As a plasterer who just about caught the last of the traditional apprenticeships, I've never claimed to be a Master as that title can only be held by true Craftsmen who are well versed in all aspects of their chosen field, I thought I knew a fair amount of the plastering craft. I didn't realise how little I knew until I opened this book.

If I may quote from the forward and give credit to Master Plasterer Jeff Orton and architect Tim Ratcliff.

"This book is probably more important now than it was 100 years ago. At that stage traditional skills were being handed down from generation to generation. Modern construction industry training, however, is designed to the needs of today, rather than teaching the skills of yesteryear. For people working in the field of historic building conservation, or simply in the repair of old houses, there is a need for a manual which explains the method and materials of the past. There is a need to understand traditional techniques for conservation purposes, but more importantly, to enable reinstatement to be carried out on a like for like bases. Such a manual exists in the form of Mr. Miller's book."

Taken from the introduction of the 1998 edition of William Millers's Plastering, plain and decorative. Published by Donhead.

Even if you have just a passing interest in plastering, then this book will be worth the money. However, after using this book for a while,you may find yourself talking like a Victorian. Be warned!

 

[inwood]

Well that's convinced me. I'll be saving my pennies for a while but will definitely get hold of a copy.

By the way there appears to be several versions of the book. The version published in 1927 though large sections of the original missing:

Later in the 1920s he jointly produced Modern Plasterwork Construction (1926) and Modern Plasterwork Design (1927), with G. Edward Bankart. Both were published by the Architectural Press, in a portfolio form, and consist mainly of drawings. Also in 1927, he revised William Millar’s classic book, Plastering – Plain and Decorative, which was re-published as the fourth edition. The revised edition is significantly different from the first. He added new chapters of his own and took out large portions of the original that he thought to be out-dated. His removal of the section on Gothic Plasterwork, for example, seems to confirm his disdain for nineteenth-century decorative plaster. The fourth edition does, however, combine Millar’s very practically based description of the mechanics of plastering with Bankart’s passion for the artistic potential of the material.

Later editions I believe re-instated these so I think these are the ones to go for. 1998 being the latest version as far as I can make out.

 

[BMcD]

The copy I have was printed in 1998 and published by Donhead. I also have Bankart's The art of the plasterer also published by Donhead and he does seem to be quite dismissive of anything post 1800 but this too is a good book if you are interested in historic decorative work, with many plates, profiles and diagrams of in-situ decorative work from many famous and grand buildings

 

[inwood]

Damn, that's an additional £65 added to the plastering book purchasing fund :roll:

 

[BMcD]

You could always start with W Verrall's The Modern Plasterer if you are looking for more of a text book.

http://www.donhead.com/modern_plasterer.htm

I don't have a copy of this but have been meaning to get one for some time as it is said to bridge the gap between Miller and Stag & Pegg's book Plastering - an encyclopaedia was one of my text books at collage along with JB Taylors Plastering both of which deal with modern plastering techniques in the main
But I'm sure whichever you go for will be worth it

 

[Nigel Watts]

I have a copy of one of the later editions. Lots of quite advanced stuff, but a bit thin on the basics. For the basics I found "Building with Lime" more useful (and very good). I bought this at the SPAB office in London a few years ago but I see that Amazon and others still list it.

 

[GeoffP]

If you hurry, theres a copy of the 1937 version on Amazon at £29.99

Geoff

Sorry, forget it - its the wrong author

 

[essexbearhunter]

If you are counting the pennies then buying from http://www.bookdepository.co.uk will get you the 1998 edition at £94.70 with free delivery. Unlike Amazon, they show this as being in stock.

(You do need to order from their home site above...if you order it via the link in Amazon it comes up as £103.11 +£2.75 p&p !!! )

They note that the 1998 edition

ISBN-10: 1873394306
ISBN-13: 9781873394304
Format: Hardcover
Page Number: 760
Publisher: Donhead Publishing
Publication Date: 1998-05-18

is a facsimilie of the 1st Edition.

Happy saving

 

[BMcD]

Nigel Watts wrote:

Lots of quite advanced stuff, but a bit thin on the basics.

Miller's book does assume a certain level of expertise where Verrel's was aimed at students and beginners and starts from the basics and and then builds to a more advanced level and is said t be very easy to read with good explanations