The Radford Ideal Homes. 100 House Plans 100 by Radford, William A., founder; Schroeder, W. H., architect

Chicago: The Radford Architectural Company, 1903. Seventh edition. 8vo (10.5" x 7.75") hardcover, stamped pictorial red and green on brown cloth. 109 pp., [3], numerous b&w illus. Seventh edition of the first Radford catalog. A substantial 1903 building trade catalog offering one hundred and eight moderate-in-price home designs with perspective views and floor plans with specifications. Most of the views are signed by architect Wm. H. Schroeder, many in the Queen Anne style. Prices range from $650 to $4000, blueprints $3 to $10. One yellow leaf is tipped in, with details about the blueprint plans.

The first Radford catalog was published under the company name "Radford Sash and Door Company, and remained in print until 1919. The Radford Company published more than forty catalogs and books between 1902 and 1926.

REFERENCES: Reiff, Daniel. Houses from Books : Treatises, Pattern Books, and Catalogs in American Architecture, 1738-1950: A History and Guide (Penn State Press, 2010).

CONDITION: Good, hole for hanging in upper left corner (with no effect on illustrations or text), light spotting to front cover, center top of covers and text creased throughout, text clean.