Photograph Signed ("Eight-Wheeled Compound Express Passenger Locomotive")

Influential British locomotive engineer, executive and innovator; as Locomotive Superintendent of the London & North Western Railway Company from 1871 to 1903, his word was law and in the city of Crewe where the L. & N.W.R. operated its "Crewe Works" he was known as "The King of Crewe." Rare signed production photograph (most likely a heliotype), heavy stock 24" X 16", Crewe, England, 1891. Very good. Light, even age toning (except verso, where acidic backing has darkened unevenly); several small, archivally closed (on verso) edge tears; very slight waviness at some edges. This piece actually consists of three separate images tipped to the heavy 24" X 16" sheet: Center image (14" X 11½") shows this locomotive in close-up profile, left side image (3½" X 11½") shows a frontal view, and right side image (also 3½" X 11½") shows a rear view. Titled "Eight-Wheeled Compound Express Passenger Locomotive" in large typeface below the center image, with "F.W. Webb's System" below that in smaller typeface and two lines of technical statistics at the bottom ("High-pressure Cylinders 15 in. diam., x 24 in. stroke. Low-pressure Cylinder 30 in. diam., x 24 in. stroke. Driving Wheels 7 ft. 1 in. diam. / Leading Wheels radial. Fixed Wheel base 8 ft. 3 in. Trailing Wheels ½ in. side play."). In the latter part of the 19th century, Webb took a leading role in the development of compound locomotives -- those in which the steam operates more than one set of cylinders. The locomotive depicted here is part of the "Greater Britain" class, a type of eight-wheeled express engine featuring an extra long combustion chamber and distinguished by their 7 foot 1 inch driving wheel; of these Webb designed ten models. The first of these appeared in 1891 -- and may well be the version depicted in this print. At the lower right corner, above the printed text "Crewe Works, 1891," Webb signs, big and bold. Verso of this print bears an oval inkstamp of the L. & N.W.R. Mechanical Engineer's Office, dated 30 September 1893. A superb and significant piece, ideal for display.…