101 - [RAILROADS]. DUPUY, Paul. Electric Traction. Electric Trams, Locomotives, and Subways. Traction in Mines, on Water, and on Roads.

[RAILROADS]. DUPUY, Paul. Electric Traction. Electric Trams, Locomotives, and Subways. Traction in Mines, on Water, and on Roads. First edition of this technical study on the early days of transportation electrification at the dawn of the Belle Époque, richly illustrated with engravings, diagrams, and period views. A fine copy, enhanced by a signed autograph dedication from the author. Paris, Librairie de Sciences Générales, 1897. Large 8vo (255 x 175 mm), half-shagreen with brown corners edged in a gold fillet, spine with small filleted raised bands, gold fleurons between the bands, author’s name and title in gold lettering, gilt head (contemporary binding). 503 pp. and 1 f. of errata, numerous black-and-white illustrations in the text (photographs, engravings, diagrams, maps), and 2 fold-out plates. Scratches and scuffs on the leather, corners slightly creased, margins slightly browned. First edition of this important study by engineer Paul Dupuy on the theoretical and practical applications of electrical energy to land and river transportation (trolleybuses, metropolitan railways, mines, navigation, and roads). It is illustrated with numerous diagrams, engravings, technical cross-sections, and period views. This is one of the very first French treatises devoted to the electrification of mass transit prior to the large-scale deployment of the Paris Metro during the 1900 World’s Fair, This copy is enhanced by an autograph dedication signed by the author on the blank endpaper: “To my friend Margaine, to thank him for introducing me to Mr. Bécus, the publisher of this work, and to commemorate the fact of having met an honest and loyal publisher.” A fine copy in a contemporary binding.