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Folio. 12.25 x 19 inches. vi + 22 pp. letterpress. Bound in half morocco over marbled boards. Scattered foxing throughout but otherwise a very good copy. Inscribed 'W. Ormsby Gore from his friend the Author', at top of title. Illustrated by 32 pages of engraved plates (all double), including 2 pages of copperplates at end. A privately published compilation of the author's lifetime interests, as illustrated in plates of his inventions with detailed descriptions added. Thomas Netherton Parker (1772-1848) graduated MA from Oxford, 1795 and later moved to Sweeney Hall, Oswestry. His interests were wide ranging, including religion, poor relief and the writing of poetry; he published a number of rural titles throughout the first half of the nineteenth century, including the subjects of cubic measures, the law of tithes, cottage designs and economy. Most of this material here was previously unpublished, except for what appeared in his Essay on Gates of 1804 and possibly in An Essay on.a Turnpike Gate (1816). Adding to 'my favourite subject of Gates,' Parker includes 'Turnpike Gates to bring up the rear, that subject being at a discount, since Railways have partly superseded Turnpike Roads: but I expect that gates of a similar character will be still used, and should be carefully constructed.' Among the numerous other subjects described and illustrated are wine-cellars, ice houses, stables, central heating, smoky chimneys, ink wells and wasp traps. An Appendix describes thirty four other subjects, which are not illustrated, including Syphon Barometers, the 'Sweeney Nonpariel,' apple variety, slate flags, the malt tax and the construction of a tower on Sweeney Mountain in 1817 to provide employment for distressed labourers. Parker offered the use of his inventions freely to the public in this limited edition of one hundred copies, of which only fifty were for sale. The other fifty, of which this is an example were for free distribution, including this copy inscribed by the author to to W. Ormsby Gore. William Ormsby-Gore (1779-1860) of the Porkington Estate, Oswestry was a friend and neighbour of Parker, who after army service in the French wars, served as High Sheriff of Shropshire, 1817-18 and at the time of this publication was MP for North Shropshire (1835-57). A very scarce title; COPAC records copies only at Oxford and Cambridge, the National Library of Scotland, the National Trust and the V and A. AGRICULTURE FENCES AND GATES AGRICULTURE- INDUSTRY 19TH CENTURY ILLUSTRATED AGRICULTURE. Seller Inventory # 24061
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