Beschreibung:

Title: Tunneling, Explosive Compounds, and Rock Drills. Giving the Details of Practical Tunnel Work; The Constituents and Properties of Modern Explosive Compounds; the Principles of Blasting; the History of the Rise of Machine Rock-Drilling; and Detailed Descriptions of the Carious Rock-Drills and Air-Compressors in Use. Also, Descriptions of the Dimensions and Cost of Over Seventeen Hundred Tunnels, from Notes Furnished by Engineers and Railroad Companies in Europe, North and South America, and New Zealand. With a History of Tummeling from the Reign of Ramses II to the Present Time Author: Drinker, Henry S. Place: New York Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Date: 1878 Description: [10], 1030, xliv pp. More than 1000 wood-engraved illustrations in the text, 18 large folding plates at rear (with the first a double-page numbered 1-2) (stout 4to) 29.5x23 cm. (11½x9") period half black morocco and boards. First Edition. Rare first edition of an important text book of tunneling technology. Folding plates at rear measure 29.5x91 cm. and depict "Geologic and Working Profiles of the Nesquehoning, the Musconetcong, and the Hoosac Tunnels, etc., etc." (from the title page). No copy has appeared at auction since 1989 which copy was described as missing 1 plate (perhaps the cataloger did not realize the first plate comprised nos. 1 and 2). Lot Amendments Condition: Overall wear and scuffing to covers, including rubbing to spine ends, corners worn; front hinge loose, moderate foxing to text and plates; near very good. Item number: 224085