Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book
Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book Ferguson's Mechanics Lectures plates 1814 Amos Doolittle 41 engravings rare book
$ 850.00

(Old Books, 19th Century Books, Leather Books, Illustrated Books, Plate Books).

Untitled Plate Book. (Ferguson's Lectures on Mechanics).
Published c. 1806-14, United States. Four engravings by Amos Doolittle, possibly more by him being unsigned (?).
41 assorted engraved plates (only, lacking 7 of the total 48). Text in English.

Attractive antiquarian 1/4 leather hand binding, marbled paper covers. The plate volume to an 1806/ 1814 ed. of Ferguson's Lectures on Mechanics by Wm. Lewis, but no title page and the plates are non-sequential, some lacking. Sold as an assortment of 41 plates (seemingly of 48?), one Doolittle plate with along tear through it, another plate only partial and not counted. It remains unknown if Doolittle engraved all the plates within although there exists a letter from Doolittle to Carey (publisher) where Doolittle states he has already engraved 13 of the 48 plates. Thus, it seems there were numerous unsigned Doolittle plates within, as seen here.

Book is physically old and shows some signs of handling and time. With 1828 owners name signature to fly leaf.

Binding gently age worn but still appealing, leather and joints slightly rubbed but still supple, remains overall very attractive as an object.

Text block paper is age toned as typical, various scattered small stains, offsetting, signs of browsing, etc. A book which has been taken care of but may/ does not look like new.

Still attractive on the shelf. Book displays a unique age patina, the age flaws seem easy to overlook or forgive. 

Please review photos for more detailed attempt to present this rare early American plate book as it survives. 

We often over-describe any flaws that many sellers would not even bother to mention since most people would overlook them as minor and unworthy of comment. Many people tell us the books they receive from us are nicer in person than they appears on the screen. We want you to be clear about what you are buying, so we take numerous photos and try to describe it openly and honestly.

Book Measures c. 8 3/4" H x 5 3/4" W.

[B7463].

O'Brien, Amos Doolittle, Engraver of New Republic, pp. 48-50.