Descrizione

First edition, 4to (275 x 200 mm), [2], xii, 13ñ394, [10]pp., with inserted ëSynopsisí leaf, errata leaf, and list of subscribers, 50 engraved plates lightly offset, recent two-toned cloth, uncut, t.e.g. Originally published in five parts, with 10 plates per part - here are original printed wrappers to each part are bound-in. James White (1762-1825), a civil engineer by trade and a prolific inventor. Here White describes 100 machines, they range different forms of gear teeth, through dynamometers, to a unique adding machine, which is the first key-driven calculator in the world. Some of the designs are of original construction, but not all, and it is not clear which are by White. Provenance: Free Public Library, Wigan stamp to verso of title page and several unobtrusive blind-stamps; The Erwin Tomash Library with his booklabel. The Erwin Tomash Library, W 43.