A TREATISE ON SHADES AND SHADOWS, AND LINEAR PERSPECTIVE.

The second edition of this early American treatise on shading and perspective. The author was professor of mathematics at West Point and herein sets forth technical advice for artists and architects. The New England Magazine's review of the first edition, published in 1832, declared that "No man should presume to criticise even a painting or engraving unless he has studied perspective.Mr. Davies's book.is the best of its kind, yet published, and the demonstrations are as plain and concise, almost, as the subject will admit." A sound copy of a popular textbook often found in poor condition. The ownership inscriptions and inkstamps in this copy, dated 1840, are those of William W.W. Wood. This is almost certainly William Willis Wiley Wood, U.S. Navy engineer and Engineer-in-Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering during Grant's presidency. He would have encountered the author during his time at West Point. AMERICAN IMPRINTS 50011. SCHIMMELMAN, AMERICAN IMPRINTS ON ART 147. Contemporary three-quarter calf and marbled boards. Head and toe of spine chipped, front joint cracked. Hinges tender, scattered foxing and tanning. Modern bookplate of Percy Stevens on front pastedown, contemporary ownership inscription on front free endpaper and titlepage, same owner's inkstamp on front flyleaf and titlepage. Good plus.…