102 - [RAILROADS]. GUILLEMIN, Amédée. Les Chemins de Fer.

[RAILROADS]. GUILLEMIN, Amédée. Les Chemins de Fer. A rare copy on Chinese paper, in a beautiful contemporary half-maroquin binding. Paris, Hachette et Cie (from the “Bibliothèque des Merveilles” collection), 1869. In-8, red half-maroquin with blind-stamped edging, spine with blind-stamped raised bands, gilt fleurons between the bands, author, title, and date in gilt lettering, endpapers and inner covers of combed paper, gilt head (contemporary binding). 364 pages, 121 woodcut vignettes in the text. Slight marks on the leather, minor scuffs, spine slightly faded, foxing. Third edition of this important study by Amédée Guillemin (1826–1893), a renowned 19th-century science popularizer, providing a comprehensive overview of the railroad network, then at the height of its expansion during the Second Empire. Organized into three parts (The Track, Rolling Stock, and Operations and Stations), it is illustrated with 121 woodcut vignettes within the text. A fine copy on Chinese paper in a lovely contemporary binding.