Methodo para construir as estradas em Portugal .

[MASCARENHAS NETO, José Diogo].

Published by Porto, Officina de Antonio Alvarez Ribeiro, 1790.

About this Item

4°, recent antique speckled sheep, spine gilt with raised bands in six compartments, crimson morocco lettering piece, gilt letter. Uncut. Some light marginal spotting, but overall in fine condition. (5 ll.), 97, (1) pp., 2 engraved plates. *** FIRST and ONLY EDITION. The preface gives a brief history of roads from Roman times onward. The text describes how roads ought to be constructed and maintained, with frequent references to English and French methods. The plates illustrate a cross-section of a road, a cutting through rock, and machinery for road construction. Born in Alcantarilha (Algarve), Mascarenhas Neto (1752-1826) studied law at the University of Coimbra and began his career in public service as a magistrate. In 1778 he supervised with great distinction the building of a road between Lisbon and Porto, the success of which led to his appointment as superintendent of roads and the Portuguese postal service. Among his postal innovations was the posting of house numbers and street signs throughout Lisbon. His other published writings include a study of the antiquities in Caldas de Vizela and an agricultural handbook.*** Innocêncio IV, 307: collating as our copy. Grande enciclopédia XVI, 513. Not in Ticknor Catalogue. NUC: DLC (with 5 ll., 91, [1] pp. and 2 plates).

Seller Inventory # 22407

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Methodo para construir as estradas em Portugal .
• Publisher: Porto, Officina de Antonio Alvarez Ribeiro, 1790.
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition