Replies

1. 
   Steve B | Dec 27, 2008 06:06am | #1

   Yes , those are good reference books, I have both of them, but sorry they are not for sale. You might try eBay and half.com

   I got one of them there a few years ago.

   Regards

   Steve

2. 
   Kit_Camp | Dec 27, 2008 07:32am | #2

   Wow!

   Those must be some rare books.

   Abebooks has both for more than $250!

   Good luck.

   You could try Powell's in Portland, OR. They have the largest collection of used building books I've ever seen.

   - Kit

1. 
   Kit_Camp | Dec 27, 2008 09:08am | #3

   Hey,You got me curious, so I did some digging on Google Books. There are a number of 19th century carpentry texts with sections on stair railing available to download in the full text section. I downloaded a couple, certainly worth checking out for free. If you don't want the hassle of searching, email me and I'll send them to you. I don't know if I could attach them here.- Kit

   Edited 12/27/2008 11:02 am ET by Kit_Camp

3. 
   Tucker W. | Dec 28, 2008 12:44am | #4

   Keith,

    

       You've maybe run across it already, but there is also "Modern practical stairbuilding & handrailing", first published in the early 1900's. The book includes nearly 100 pages on handrailing of "double curvature" by George Ellis.  Cost's maybe $25 bucks from amazon. 

   tw

1. 
   mathewson | Dec 28, 2008 02:33am | #5

   Tucker,Thanks for the tip. I didn't own that one but I do now.

4. 
   dldecker | Jan 04, 2009 06:01am | #6

   for stairs check out these book for free from the 1800-1900's

   http://tinyurl.com/8lmq7s

   for handrails

   http://tinyurl.com/7ujmp9

   not the books you were looking for but they might help

1. 
   mathewson | Jan 04, 2009 06:58am | #7

   Great links! I have heard of 1 of them but the rest are new to me. I look forward to reading them- except the one in french....