W. Walker, Francis Lightbody; A. B. Brown, Robert Davis — Working Drawings & Designs in Mechanical Engineering & Machine Making

Edinburgh; London, A. Fullarton, 1864-8. Paperback. A fascinating work showcasing Victorian mechanical engineering and design, here in 8 volumes. These volumes showcase in meticulous detail the scientific principles and mechanical design of machines. Included are 48 plates of mechanical drawings, as well as lengthy articles on design and operation. In 1862 London had hosted the Great London Exposition as a follow up to the Great Exhibition of 1851. 28,000 exhibitors attended from 36 countries, each showcasing industry, technology, and the arts. The British public had been thrilled by the marvels of the original exhibition, and their apetite for further insight into the industrial age still seemed significant. These volumes present to the public in a series of articles the principles by which the machines they would have been able to view at these exhibition were built and operated. They are a fascinating testament to the technological capability of Western civilisation at that point in time. Examples of articles include: On Water Power Turbines, Outlines of Agricultural Engineering, and Tools & Their Principles. Collated from Copac: all 48 plates appear to be present. XXXIV at first glance appears to be missing, but there are two numbered XXXVIII with different contents. It seems one plate has been incorrectly numbered. The plates are not in order. The pagination is highly irregular, with separately paginated articles split between the volumes. In total ten complete articles are included. The sum of the paginations of these articles is 180. Overall appears complete. In the original cardboard wraps. Externally quite worn. Each volume has some slight bumping and rubbing, the wraps of each volume are chipped, with some closed tears. Volumes IV to VIII are firmly bound. Bindings of volumes I and II have failed. The binding of volume III is loosening in places. Pages are generally clean, with the odd handing mark, and tidemarks throughout, particularly to the plates. The plates are nonetheless all legible and sharp. Good Only . Ill.: Various. Good Only .