This book is fundamentally a reprint of three Thomson books of furniture designs that are out out of print and very sought after. The books reproduced in this edition include: Cabinet-Makers Assistant Cabinet-Makers Sketch Book Practical Cabinet-Makers Book of Designs These books are all very rare and no more than a handful are available throughout the world. 'The Assistant' was the most popular book of furniture design, certainly within the British Empire, and possibly the world, as it was reprinted, unchanged, four times between 1852-1863. As the originals are now 160 years old and in far from perfect condition, a great deal of restoration was necessary. In addition this book includes the following for the first time: - A list of 600 U.K furniture makers who subscribed to the first edition of 'The Assistant' together with their addresses, a significant tool for furniture historians. - An introduction by John Andrews together with photographs of furniture from around the world made from Peter Thomson's designs - An index has been created for this edition as none was available due to the original compilation by the publisher being printed in parts.