This book, first published in 1918, was one of a series of authoritative histories of art intended to be used as a text for college-level courses. George Henry Chase, author of the history of sculpture volume, served as editor for both the architecture and painting histories. In April of 1913, Chase enlisted Kimball to write the architecture history. Two years later Kimball sought out the expertise of George Harold Edgell, who contributed the Middle Ages chapters. A revised edition of the book was published in 1926, with Kenneth Conant contributing revisions to Edgell's section, as Edgell was unable to complete them himself. Included in this sub-subseries is correspondence with Harper and Brother, Chase and Edgell about the first and second editions of the book, and a complete typescript draft of the first edition, including illustrations.