POPE, Thomas.
A Treatise on Bridge Architecture; in which the superior advantages of the flying pendent lever bridge are fully proved. With an historical account of different bridges erected in various parts of the world, from an early period, down to the present time.
New York: Printed for the author, by Alexander Niven… 1811
8vo, 9 leaves, pp. (ix)–xxxii, pp. (33)–288, 18 engraved plates mostly from drawings by the author, and some with erratic numbering. With the half-title and errata leaf. The first plate is bound as a frontispiece, the second plate is a duplicate on ordinary paper of the last plate. Original orange boards (a little worn round the edges) and sheep spine (restored and coloured black). Paper lightly browned and plates spotted (probably as in most copies). Signature in three places of Geo. M. Cargan, New Orleans, 1840; signs of the Franklin Institute bookplate removed; bookplate of the Bibliotheca Mechanica.
FIRST EDITION. The first American book on bridge building. More than half of the book is an historical account of bridges of all periods and in all parts of the world, with an index giving their locations, dates and spans. This is followed by a mathematical description of the author’s patented design of a “Flying Pendent Lever Bridge”, with details of its advantages and a schedule of costs. The third part is on the strength of timber and other materials, and the last part gives a description of Pope’s “Patent Chain Bar Arc”, which promises to “carry any weight required, without lateral pressure…” Roberts & Trent, Bibliotheca Mechanica, p. 264 (this copy).
£750.00
In stock
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