Voyages dans la Grand Bretagne [enterprise relativement aux services public de la guerre, de la marine, et des ponts et chaussées, au commerce et a l'industrie]

Dupin, Le Baron Charles

Paris, Bachelier, and Mrs. Paulmier & Jobard, 1824-6

3 volumes text + volume of plates. 4to and atlas folio

the text volumes in contemporary marbled paper boards with later leather spines and corners; bindings just a little worn and rubbed.

the plates volume in C19th half calf over marbled paper boards, with later calf spine. there is a little light foxing to the text volumes, but generally clean and crisp.

as usual the paper of the plates volume is quite badly affected by foxing and browning, but all the images are clear and crisp. 2 plates with closed tears  -  7cm and 4cm.  the binding is a little rubbed and worn

the complete work of Dupin's celebrated account of his travels in Britain to study the military, naval and commercial activities of the country.

the work is laid out in six separate parts, two to each area of study, each with its own title-page, as usual, bound into three volumes.

the plate volume contains three separate parts of lithograph plates, each with its own engraved title-page. the first part contains 10 plates of military subjects, including gun carriages, cannon, plan of the Chatham barracks, etc.

the second part contains 11 plates of naval subjects, including views from Woolwich, Portsmouth, Plymouth, several plates showing cannons, etc.

the third part deals with 'commercial' matters [civil engineering], containing 15 plates showing bridges, docks, etc., and a plate showing various aspects of the Bell Rock Lighthouse.

the first two text volumes (military and naval subjects) are second editions, published in 1825. the final volume is the first edition of 1824. the plate volume is from the third edition, but as far as I can ascertain, the illustrations all correspond to the text references