James Brindley and the Early Engineers

An excellent first edition of Samuel Smiles's biography of James Brindley, celebrated British engineer. The first single volume edition of Samuel Smiles's biography of James Brindley, a pioneer of British canal engineering. The work first appeared as part of his 1862 five volume set, Lives of Engineers.Including a frontispiece of Brindley opposing the title page, Smiles provides a beautiful cartographic and landscape vignettes throughout, all of which are present.With attractive marbled end papers and fore-edges, the edition is bound in calf with gilt detailing to the spine. A prize binding for St Saviour's School, the front board includes a blind stamp of a school award, possibly engraved by William Joseph Taylor who is known to have produced medals for the school. In full calf with gilt detailing. Externally, in excellent condition. Odd mark to the boards, slightly more significant to the front board. Minor rubbing, slightly heavier to joints and extremities. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean, with scattered spotting, heavier to the first and last few pages. Very Good Indeed.…