1824 A Descriptive History of the Steam Engine

Description

First Edition, Illustrated, Leather Binding, Scarce

The scarce first edition of Robert Stuart's informative history of the steam engine. A second edition, also scarce, was published later in the same year.

Illustrated with a frontispiece, title page, and forty-five further plates. Collated, complete.

A study of the development of steam power from its earliest experiments to its practical application in the early nineteenth century. Discussing principles of steam operation, and describing various types of engines and their uses in industry and transport. 

With the armorial bookplate of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas Byam Martin to the front pastedown. As Comptroller of the Navy, Martin was credited with reducing the fleet from the enormous size deployed against the French to a more streamlined service geared toward protecting merchant trade and the British Empire.