40 - [AUTOMOBILE]. GUÉDON, Yves. Motor Vehicle Transportation.

[AUTOMOBILE]. GUÉDON, Yves. Motor Vehicle Transportation. First edition of this treatise published on the eve of World War I, providing a comprehensive overview of the commercial use of the automobile, with numerous period photographs showing the first delivery trucks, city buses, and industrial vehicles. Paris, H. Dunod and E. Pinat, 1912. In-8 (240 x 160 mm), aubergine half-shagreen with corner pieces, smooth spine adorned with the title in gold lettering running lengthwise, author and date at the top and bottom, speckled head, original color-illustrated covers preserved (Ateliers Laurenchet). VII, 130 pp. and 2 ff. of advertisements, numerous black-and-white illustrations and photographs in the text. Printed in two columns. First edition of this technical and economic treatise written by engineer Yves Guédon on the eve of World War I, providing a comprehensive overview of the professional use of the automobile. The author examines the replacement of horse-drawn transport by gasoline-powered vans, heavy trucks, and buses, analyzing in detail operating costs, chassis mechanics, vehicle maintenance, and commercial applications for trade and industry. A rare and thoroughly documented account of the decisive transformation of freight and passenger transportation during the Belle Époque, illustrated with numerous period photographs showing the first delivery trucks, city buses, and industrial vehicles in action. This copy features a photograph of a Parisian omnibus from that era. A lovely copy with its original covers intact.