Books & Publications

Holtzapffel & Co. Catalogue of Lathes and Tools, published by Holtzapffel & Co, London, circa 1824, 1834, 1844.
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Sundry Designs for Amateur Turners (as Manufactured by Holtzapffel & Deyerlein), by Holtzapffel and Deyerlein. 1824. 6 pages. Lithogr. incl. text and 8 plates from designs by Jacob Petit.

A brief Account of Ibbetson's Geometric Chuck, Manufactured by Holtzapffel & Co.: With a selection of specimens illustrative of some of its powers. By John Holt Ibbetson, often with bound-in manuscript titled Additional Notes on Ibbetson's Geometric Chuck by Charles Holtzapffel. 1833. The book consists of 47 pages, and the manuscript continues the pagination up to page 77 with a 2 page table of settings. Both are illustrated throughout. Download from Internet Archive

A New System of Scales of Equal Parts: Applicable to Various Purposes of Engineering, Architectural and General Science, (and related, List of Scales of Equal Parts), by Charles Holtzapffel. Published by J. Weale, 1838. 45 pages.

On a Scale of Geometrical Equivalents for Engineering and Other Purposes, by Charles Holtzapffel. Published by Printed by Richard and John E. Taylor, 1838. 1 pages. From the London and Edinburgh philosophical magazine and journal of science for July 1838.

Specimens of Amateur Printing: by Means of the Press Invented by Mr. Cowper, by Holtzapffel & Co. Published by Holtzapffel, 1840. 51 pages.
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Turning and Mechanical Manipulation, Vol. 1 - Materials, Their Choice, Preparation and Various Modes of Working Them, by Charles Holtzapffel, 1843. This covers materials: tortoise shell, ivory, horn, amber, slate, marble, semi-precious and precious stones. Their preparation, working properties and ornamental characteristics. Also the stability of woods used in turnery. The manufacture of cast and malleable iron and alloys, forging, hardening, casting and founding, joining and rolling sheet metals, and various methods of soldering. Reprint currently available by Astragal Press, ISBN 1-879335-46-8, 235 x 153 mm. xvi + 480 pp. 300 illustrations. Paperback. View on Google Books or Download from Internet Archive
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Working Horn, Ivory and Tortoiseshell, by Charles Holtzapffel. 1843. An extract from Turning and Mechanical Manipulation, Vol. 1. 48 pages. illustr. (Reprint available from Cabor Press, or View Vol. 1 on Google Books or Download Vol. 1 from Internet Archive)
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Turning and Mechanical Manipulation, Vol. 2, by Charles Holtzapffel, 1846. This covers the construction, action and application of cutting tools and the machines derived from hand tools. Detailed explanations of the various types of chisels, plane irons, turning, boring and screw cutting tools, saws, files, shears, punches, vises, and spindles, plus planing and shaping machines. More than 700 illustrations. Advertisements at the end of the publication are of particular interest, containing price lists for various tools and ornamental turning apparatus, along with numerous illustrations of the cutting frames and the results they produce. Reprint of the 1875 edition currently available by Astragal Press, ISBN 11879335395, 235 x 153 mm. xii + 568 pp. Paperback. Download from Internet Archive
Printing Apparatus for the Use of Amateurs, by Charles Holtzapffel. 1846. Containing full and practical instruction for the use of Cowper's parlour printing press. Also the description of larger presses on the same principle, and various other apparatus for the amateur typographer. 80 pages. Numerous illustrations. (Reprint ISBN 0900002603, 9780900002601) Download from Internet Archive
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A New System of Decimal Gages Or Measures for Sheet Metals, Wires, and Small Manufactured Articles Generally: Based on the Decimal Subdivision of the Standard Inch, Including the Exact Decimal Values of the Gages Now Principally Used for These Purposes in the Mechanical Arts, by Charles Holtzapffel. Published by Holtzapffel & Co., 1846.  29 pages. (Extracted from pages 287 to 291 of Vol. 1 and the Appendix of Vol. 2 of Turning and Mechanical Manipulation. Download Vol. 1 from Internet Archive and Download Vol. 2 from Internet Archive)
Turning and Mechanical Manipulation, Vol. 3, by Charles Holtzapffel. 1850 (published posthumously). Revised by John Jacob Holtzapffel in 1894. This volume covers abrasive and other processes not accomplished with cutting tools: shaping and polishing stone and marble; grinding and sharpening of cutting tools to precise forms and angles; producing cylindrical, spherical, conical and plane surfaces; glass cutting and etching, lens grinding and polishing; diamond drilling and grinding; saw sharpening and setting; grinding of internal cylinders; lapidary work; gem and glass engraving; watchmaker's turning tools; varnishing, lacquering and bronzing. This second edition has 300 pp. of revisions and 250 extra woodcuts. Reprint of the 1894 second edition available from Astragal Press, ISBN 1879335476, 235 x 153 mm. xx + 796 pp. 771 figures in 430 illustrations and 2 full plates. Paperback. Download from Internet Archive
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Elliptical Cutting Frame, by Holtzapffel & Co., 1851. Four page leaflet. (Document held at Museum of English Rural Life)
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The Handbook for the Artisan, Mechanic and Engineer, by Charles Holtzapffel, Oliver Byrne. Published by J. K. Collins, Jr., 1853. 483 pages.
Turning and Mechanical Manipulation, Vol. 4 – Hand Or Simple Turning: Principles and Practice, by John Jacob Holtzapffel, 1879. This volume introduces all phases of the simple lathe, including history and utilization. Details the division plate and index, boring collars, slide rest, spiral apparatus, lifting blocks and lengthening bearers, chucks and apparatus for holding the work in the lathe. Provides instruction in turning softwood, hardwood, ivory, metal, and screw cutting, with many specific projects demonstrating the power of the lathe in producing numerous functional and fantastical objects. Reprint of the 1881 edition currently available from Dover Press, ISBN: 0-486-26567-9 ISBN-13: 9780486264288, 235 x 153 mm. xvi + 592 pp. 771 figures and 22 plates. Paperback. View on Google Books, Download from Internet Archive, or Purchase on Amazon
Turning and Mechanical Manipulation, vol. 5 – The Principles and Practice of Ornamental Or Complex Turning, by John Jacob Holtzapffel, 1884. Of particular interest to those collecting, restoring or operating a Holtzapffel or similar ornamental turning lathe, this volume is a highly detailed instruction manual covering all aspects of ornamental turning apparatus. Text organized according to various cutting frames and chucks, describing and illustrating their use both independently and in combination. Reprint currently available by Dover Press, ISBN 0486265676, 9780486265674. 656 pages, 600 illus. View on Google Books or Purchase from Amazon
The Family of Holtzapffel: With the Collateral Branches, by Charles Victor Holtzapffel, 1876.

Additional Notes on Ibbetson's Geometric Chuck, by Charles Holtzapffel. (Date unknown)

Home Made Lathes (Date unknown)

Wave Line Patterns on Surfaces. Limited circulation article published by Holtzapffel & Co. (Date unknown). 12 pages of typescript with 11 photographs and other illustrations.

Ornamental Lathe for Rose Turning Constructed by Holtzapffel & Co. (Date unknown)

Notes on the Rose Chuck & Pumping Apparatus, by John George Holtzapffel Budd. 1885. Limited publication by Holtzapffel & Co. Very few copies made. 25 pages of typescript with 17 photographs and other illustrations. A related article appeared in the 1892 edition of "Engineering Magazine."

Description of a Machine for Producing Rosettes, by John George Holtzapffel Budd, 1897. Details the machine designed and constructed by Charles Holtzapffel around 1840.

The Oblique Chuck, by John George Holtzapffel Budd. Manuscript notes that describe Bazley's oblique chuck and its uses. (Date unknown)

Holtzapffel & Co. Catalogue of Secondhand Lathes, 1899.

Education in Handicraft. (Date unknown)

The Rose Cutting Frame. Small circulation booklet published by Holtzapffel & Co. Illustrates rosettes and details the Holtzapffel rosette numbering system. (Date unknown)

A Manual of Wood Carving, by Charles G. Leland, revised by John J. Holtzapffel, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1897. Reprinted in 1909. 162 pages. Numerous black and whites plates, profusely illustrated with printpress examples of tools and designs. Download from Internet Archive
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Holtzapffel & Co. Catalogue of Lathes and Tools, published by Holtzapffel & Co, London, circa 1911-1923. 64 pages. Numerous illustrations.
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British Empire Hardwoods, From the point of View of Turnery, by A.L. Hetherington, with a forward by Major J. G. Holtzapffel Budd. Published by H. M. Stationary Office, London, 1931. Includes b/w photo of Holtzapffel ornamental lathe.

Photographic Designs for Turning, published by Holtzapffel & Co. (Date unknown.) Contains approximately 31 photographs.

Holtzapffel Volume 6, compiled, edited and published by John Edwards, 2011. From the publishers introduction: "Holtzapffel & Co. had long provided hand-written notebooks for buyers of their more exotic equipment, like Epicycloidal and Rose Cutting Frames and Geometric Chucks; some of these are quite rare and some of the information contained in them has never been published generally. Also, around the turn of the century, several typescripts were issued by Holtzapffel describing various forms of rose-turning apparatus and the automatic drives which were developed to aid their use. This book brings together these Holtzapffel Notes together with contemporary magazine articles describing new apparatus introduced subsequent to the publication of Volume 5 in 1884. Additional material is taken from notes by amateurs about their own inventions and details of some of the letters patent registered by the inventors." Visit publisher's website.

​Holtzapffel Register of Lathes

The Holtzapffel firm spanned several generations, during which at least 2,557 lathes were produced. From 1795 to 1928, the sale of lathes was documented, noting the type of lathe, when it first sold, the buyer's name, and price paid.

The Holtzapffel register of lathes is currently housed at the Guildhall Library in London. If the proper permissions can be obtained, a copy of the register in part or whole may become available for viewing here.


The Pedigree of Holtzapffel Lathes

A comprehensive history of all known Holtzapffel lathes entitled The Pedigree of Holtzapffel Lathes was written by Warren G. Ogden and published in 1986. Now out of print, it remains the definitive collection of details on the contents, ownership and whereabouts of Holtzapffel lathes (though many kits have since changed hands).
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Compendium of Known Holtzapffel Lathes

A comprehensive collection of existing lathes has recently been undertaken by John Edwards of London. He has compiled photos of more than 170 lathes (or parts of lathes) and information about nearly 385 that are still in existence. To see the collection or to provide additional information and photographs, visit his website.
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The original Holtzapffel register of lathes is a handwritten document containing 2,557 entries, each noting the type of lathe, when it was first sold, the buyer's name, date sold and how much was paid. This document is currently housed at the Guildhall Library in London.

​Historical Documents

A collection of historical documents related to Holtzapffel

Correspondence
Company Documents
  • Indenture dated 1794 between John Jacob Holtzapffel and Francis Rousset for the term of seven years. (Guildhall Library)
  • A complete room by room inventory of the firm, dated 26th December 1800. 18 pages. (Guildhall Library MS 9475) See SOT Bulletin 73:104-7 and 119:136-7 for more information.
  • Indenture between Holtzapffel and Deyerlein, dated 1st October 1804, includes a number of other staff and details on the rental of the premises. (Guildhall Library)
  • Record of insurance, dated 28 June 1810, from Sun Fire Office to Messrs Holtzapffel and Deyerlein, 10 Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, engine lathe and tool makers. (Guildhall Library MS 11936/451/846320)
  • Instructions for the shopman at 64 Charing Cross, covering in great detail the cleaning, warehousing, receipt and dispatch of goods, accounting, and all other matters relating to the business. Prepared by J. J. Holtzapffel. Lists production machinery and tools, names of operators, raw materials, tools for sale, work in progress, and finished lathes.
  • Various leases on the properties at 126 and 127 Longacre some with detailed plans, and other properties in Chapel Court. The period covered by these leases is from the 1820's to the 1890's. (Guildhall Library) See SOT 73:104-7 for more information
  • Receipt for rent on premises at 64, Charing Cross Road, dated 1830. Reproduced in SOT Bulletin 109:141.
  • Register of Holtzapffel Lathes, circa 1835. Large format volume incorporates information from earlier company records, intended to record all significant items of production, but almost entirely comprised of lathe sales. (Guildhall Library MS 21518) For more information, see SOT Bulletin 119:136-7.
  • Sale document concerning property held by the Holtzapffel's in Pitcher Court, in the parish of St-Stephen Coleman, purchased in 1822 and disposed of in 1836. (Guildhall Library)
  • Holtzapffel customers journal, dated 1892–1897, containing accounts for sales, repairs, etc. of lathes, machinery and tools. (Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections, Reference: GB237/Gen.879F-882F)
  • Register of lathes made, cash book, family and business papers, etc. 1786-1928. (Guildhall Library, MSS 21515-33)

Invoices
  • Receipted bill from Holtzapffel & Deyerlein, Lathe and Engine Makers, Long Acre, dated June 1807, to Hon. Mr. [Henry] Verney for miscellaneous items. (Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive, DR 98/1654/246)
  • Receipted bill from Holtzapffel & Deyerlein, dated 17 June 1814, to Hon. Mr. [Henry] Verney for vices. (Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive, DR 98/1654/282)
  • Holtzapffel ledgers F, H, and K, dated 1811–1822. (Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections, Reference: GB237/Gen.879F-882F)
  • Holtzapffel's cash book for the years 1826–1827. (Guildhall Library)
  • Various tradesmens' bills from firms dealing in ironwork, emery, timber, japaning, ivory and tortoiseshell etc. (Guildhall Library)
  • A series of accounts from Holtzapffel & Co. Charing Cross, London to I. E. Oldfield for the purchase of a Lathe No 2372 (£460) and other tools associated with Wood Turning. [Circa 17 December 1884] (Herefordshire Record Office, J38/A/64 1884-1895)
  • Bundle of receipts from Holtzapffel and Co. for payments from I. I. Oldfield. [No date, but presumably associated with lathe purchase circa 17 December 1884] (Herefordshire Record Office, J38/A/65)

Patents
  • 1885, 6th May, No. 5570. Apparatus for ornamental turning and shaping. George William Budd of 127, Long Acre, Middx. The specification refers to the Rose Engine Chuck.
  • 1885, 26th May, No. 6389. Apparatus for rose turning and shaping. George William Budd, The specification describes a Rose Engine Chuck with the addition of a pumping action, built into the chuck, for use on a lathe not fitted with a traversing mandrel.
  • 1889, 28th December, No. 2136. Automatic segment stops and silent driving apparatus for lathes and other machines. John Jacob Holtzapffel and George William Budd. The specification refers to the automatic driving apparatus described in Holtzapffel & Co's "Some notes on the Rose Chuck" pages 6 and 7, fig.2.

Litigation Records
  • Tapster v. Holtzapffel and others by their guardian testator or intestate: Holtzapffel, Charles. 1847. (The National Archives, Kew)
  • Holtzapffel v. Chapman. 1852. (The National Archives, Kew)

Trade Directories

Personal Documents
  • John Jacob Holtzapffel's church attendance certificate for 1788 in Strasbourg. (Guildhall Library)
  • Deyerlein's passports. (Guildhall Library)
  • John Jacob Holtzapffel's denization papers from Alsace. 11 October 1827. (The National Archives, Kew)
  • Capt. John George Holtzapffel's personal files from the First World War. Date range: 1915–1916. Inherited by the War Office, Armed Forces. (The National Archives, Kew)

Census Records
Register of Births, Marriages, Deaths, & Wills

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