The Steel Square and Its Uses Value Guide

This antiquarian instructional book is a cornerstone of American construction history, authored by William A. Radford to guide 20th-century craftsmen through complex timber framing. Its detailed focus on roofing and stair building made it the definitive technical manual during the United States' significant early-century building boom.

What Is The Steel Square and Its Uses Worth?

The typical price range for The Steel Square and Its Uses is $55 - $60 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the silver-leaf stamping, which is prone to tarnishing or rubbing over time.
• The structural integrity of the cloth binding and the presence of any foxing on the paper.
• Completeness of the technical plates and diagrams essential for carpentry instruction.
• Historical provenance or signatures from early 20th-century American craftsmen.

How to Identify The Steel Square and Its Uses?

• Check for the Radford Architectural Company imprint on the title page and spine.
• Verify the presence of silver-leaf stamping on the cloth-bound hardcover boards.
• Confirm the publication date falls within the 1907 to 1925 era for original editions.
• Look for intricate geometric diagrams and instructional illustrations throughout the text.

History of The Steel Square and Its Uses

Authored by William A. Radford and published by the Radford Architectural Company, this text served as a definitive guide for 20th-century craftsmen. It provided comprehensive instructions on using the steel square for roofing, stair building, and complex geometric calculations in timber framing during the American construction boom.