Fig-tree

1886 · ref. 5821 — Paris: A la Librairie Illustrée 1886. First edition inscribed by the author and accompanied by two autograph letters signed. A scarce study of urban railways written fourteen years before the first line of the Paris Métro opened at the moment when Paris was still debating whether and how to build one. Figuier 1819-1894 the most prolific French populariser of science of his age takes as his starting point London's Metropolitan Railway which opened the world's first underground line in 1863. He then surveys the systems of Berlin and New York with a chapter on the Brooklyn Bridge and devotes three chapters to Paris and the rival schemes then under discussion before closing with reflections on the future of city transport. His enthusiasm for the new underground railways is plain but he gives equal attention to elevated lines bridges and surface railways. The text is illustrated with fine engravings and with maps of London Berlin Vienna and Paris including a map of the proposed Paris network engraved by Perrin. With two autograph letters signed by Figuier. The first 1 p. in-8 'Paris 30 nov.' probably 1887 is addressed to Georges Decaux head of the Librairie Illustrée publisher of the present work and of Figuier's weekly La Science illustrée. In it Figuier delivers his article on saccharin for the journal and arranges to bring a M. Baillot to settle the journal's reports on the Institut. The second 4 pp. in-8 'Paris 18 juin' from 1 rue Newton datable to 1866 is a fine letter to a fellow historian of science asking for his notice on Galileo. Figuier announces the imminent publication of his Vies des savants illustres whose first volume on the scientists of antiquity was to appear that October. He describes the winter he spent in Italy gathering documents and drawings on Galileo in Florence where he came to know Eugenio Albèri editor of Galileo's Opere and takes a swipe at the 'fanciful details' 'détails de fantaisie' given by Joseph Bertrand. In-12 180 × 120 mm; 7 × 4¾ in. xii 272 pp. with 35 plates in and out of text including 5 maps. Bound by Atelier Laurenchet signed in maroon half morocco with corners marbled boards spine with raised bands lettered in gilt imprint at foot. the original illustrated front wrapper and spine bound in. Wrapper a little dust-soiled its spine restored; occasional light foxing. The letters are in fine condition. A very good copy. Very rare. OCLC records only seven copies all in American institutions OCLC 11816585 and we have traced none in France or the UK nor any on the market or at auction. . A la Librairie Illustrée hardcover