BELIDOR, (BERNARD FOREST de).

Architecture Hydraulique, ou L'Art de conduire, d'elever, et de menager les Eaux pour les differents Besoins de la Vie. 2 Vols. in 4 Parts. (Vol. I:1-2 - Vol. II:1-2).

Paris, Cellot, 1782-90.

4to. Bound in 4 uniform contemporary full sprinkled calf. Tome-and title-labels in leather on spines. Five raised bands and richly gilt compartments. Wear to 2 spine ends. Corners a bit bumped. Some minor scratches to covers. Engraved frontispiece, 3 engraved title-vignettes. (8), XII, (4), 412; (6), XIV, (2), 423,XXVIII;(8), 412,XXXII; VIII, 480, XXXVI pp. and 215 (44+55+56+60) folded engraved plates. Engraved chapter-vignettes. A few scattered brownspots, but clean, with broad margins and printed on good paper.

Scarce variant-issue of the first edition. A pioneering work, a classic of engineering, which constitutes practically the first scientific text-books on engineering and the first to apply integral calculus to technical and practical problems. It became the international standard-work for nearly 100 years and proved invaluable to architects, builders and engineers as it covers engineering mechanics, civil construction, mills and waterwheels, pumps, harbours and sea work etc. According to Rosenthal (Litt. d. Technologie, p. 209) the work was reprinted 12 times and thus with the best impressions of the plates (the first edition) - "Un tresor de recherches et de machines que l'Histoire de l'Hydraulique doit toujours annonce et célébrer." (Montucla). - Poggendorff I:138 - Brunet I:740.

Order-nr.: 54894