London.- Laing (David) Plans, Elevations, and Sections, of Buildings Public and Private ... including the New Custom-House, London ..., half-title, 45 engraved plates and plans, 12 double-page, bound without publisher's advertisements at end, scattered spotting, occasional faint marginal finger-soiling, contemporary half-calf, upper joint beginning to split but holding firm, a little rubbed, slight bumping to corners and extremities, folio, 1818.
⁂ David Laing (1774-1856), was appointed Surveyor to the Customs in 1810, and 2 years later was asked to produce plans for a new customs house in London. During construction there were disputes over costs between Laing and the contractors, Miles and Peto. With the contractors cutting corners in order to try and save money, the foundations gave way in 1824 leading to the collapse of the central part of the building. As a result Laing was suspended from his post.
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