Menuiserie

1835 · réf. 52261 — Philadelphia. 1835–1866. Account Book of a Philadelphia Carpenter An interesting carpenter's account book from 19th-century Philadelphia containing a voluminous number of entries listing client names types of carpentry work done and the costs thereof. Internal evidence his name on pages 52 and 114 suggests that this belonged to Philadelphia carpenters John and W.H. Martin. The accounts start on July 22 1835 exactly one month after the 1835 Philadelphia general strike ended. Workers' rights and formative unions owe much to this strike in Philadelphia the first general strike by wage workers in North America. The strike helped alleviate long hours and low pay by involving some 20000 workers who demanded a ten-hour work day and increased wages. The strike was very successful ending in an almost complete victory for the workers. About half of the ledger deals with work done in the first five years in which it was kept between 1835 and 1840. There are no entries from June 1847 to June 1849 and only sporadic entries from 1857 to the final entries in 1866; most of the rest of the accounts are from 1840 to 1855 except the two-year hiatus. The account book lists a wide assortment of different types of work accomplished by carpenters including framing putting up awnings "repairing a privey seat" hanging doors and windows putting up lightning rods making shutters mending floors and much more. In addition Martin seemed to occasionally make furniture specifically benches and tables for which there are some entries here. It also contains important information on the prices paid by tradesmen for supplies in Philadelphia at the time mostly lumber and nails in this case. Although there is no explicit ownership signature both internal evidence and other material purchased from the same estate suggest John Martin as the principal craftsperson and W.H. Martin as an employee or other principal of the business. The ledger offers much insight into American trade in one of its most important cities at a time of immense growth. A fascinating account book with much detail on the development of Philadelphia private homes in the middle of the 19th century. Contemporary half calf and marbled boards. Binding worn and rubbed. Very good. hardcover