The Roads and Railroads, vehicles, and modes of travelling, of ancient and modern countries, with accounts of bridges, tunnels, and canals, in various parts of the world [...].
London, John W. Parker, West Strand, 1839. 8:o. pp. viij, 340. Publishers blind-stamped darkgreen cloth, spine lettered in gilt, minor wear to head and tail of spine. Untrimmed and partly unopened. Armorial bookplate and library label of Meinertzhagen on front pastedown.
¶ First edition. Five fullpage and numerous woodcuts throughout the text. A fine copy of this work in which the anonymous author aims to show 'that the improvement of mankind, and the perfection of the means of internal communication, have progressed simultaneously' (p. iii), with important chapters on the road and canal systems of the United Kingdom and in particular fur chapters on the development of steam locomotion and the progression of the rail-road system. With the use of attractive woodcuts of railway scenes, locomotive steam engines (including the 'Rocket') and steam engine components the work provides a wealth of information on the still new and developing rail-road system. Besides an interesting and thorough history of the early attempts at steam locomotion and the development and construction of the Steam-Engine the work encompasses Rail-roads and collieries, the formation of Railway companies, economy of railways and the exciting 'rapidity of transport'. Further attention is paid to the newly constructed London and Birmingham, Great Western, London and Brighton and London and Greenwich railways. Of particular note is the detailed account of the establishment of the railway line which connected Liverpool and Manchester, which includes a woodcut depicting a 'Scene on the Manchester and Liverpool Rail-Road'. 'The construction of the Liverpool and Manchester railway comprised instances of almost every kind of engineering which have been presented by the other railways; it has served as a model for subsequent example of the triumph of perseverance and science over natural obstacles' (p. 337).
· GEN14236 · Antikvariat Genealogica, Pixbo (SE) ·
|