[SCOTT, David]

The Engineer and Machinist's Assistant: A Series of Plans, Sections, and Elevations, of Stationary, Marine, and Locomotive Engines, Water Wheels, Spinning Machines, Tools, etc., etc., Taken from Machines of Approved Construction

Glasgow: Blackie and Son, 1854. Folio in fours (38cm) in two volumes. In contemporary half black leather with black cloth over boards, gilt roll at seams, tooled and titled in gilt on spine, all edges sprinkled red; plain endpapers; vol. I: [ii], [i]-x, [1]-244, [ii], [vii]-viii,[1]-128pp; vol. I with 3 plates and numerous in-text wood engravings, vol. II with engraved title page and 85 full-page or double-page plates numbered I-CXXXIII. Externally handsome, if mildly rubbed, with slight wear to joints; internally with some toning and occasional foxing, some plate guards renewed, but generally clean, straight, and sturdy: Very Good.

With directions to the binder below the list of plates, requesting that double plates be "mounted on stout guards, of sufficient length to allow of their opening quite flat," to "permit of measurements being accurately made upon them by compasses" (viii).

A handbook on machines, engines, and engine parts, written to enhance the "professional education of the practical Engineer and Mill-wright" and to "facilitate the technical education of the working mechanic" (iii-iv). OCLC lists numerous editions between 1843 and 1863--evidently, a popular and useful work.

Price: $650.00

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