Silliman E R Eds (2 results)

Condition: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,800grams, ISBN:9781593858315.…

Folio. xi, [1], 207, [1] pp. Engraved frontisp., extra-illustrated engraved title, 5 engraved plates (1 colour woodcut plate for tiles), another engraved plate of Fresnel lenses integral to pagination, with 500 woodcut-engraved text illustrations, decorations. Elaborately decorated & gilt embossed cobalt-blue publisher's cloth, decorative gilt lettering front & back covers, a.e.g. (rebacked w/ upper portion of original spine laid-back down, corners renewed, resewn, flyleaves expertly silked, wear to lower fore-edges, minor stain to a few leaves in rear of textblock upper fore-edge), still a VG- copy. First edition, possible first state (including the colour plate & extra-illustrated title & frontispiece which are not present in some printings), of this lavishly illustrated catalogue of America's first exposition, inspired and patterned after the 1851 Crystal Palace Great Exhibition in London. Mixed in with the familiar Arts & Crafts material which filled the early expositions, including industrially produced glassware, metalwork, ceramics, and more, the 1853-54 Exposition served as a vital presentation of American invention and technology, including Royal Earl House's innovative printing telegraph with its piano-style keyboard, a Henry Fitz refractor telescope, John Whipple's daguerreotypes shot of the Moon at Harvard College, and even a publicity stunt featuring Elias Otis demonstrating his safety elevator by dramatically cutting the rope holding the cage preventing is descent when they deployed. The 1853-54 Exhibition was also vital to the development of iron construction in America, including the striking octagonally planned domed structure by Castensen and Gildermeister, as well as plans submitted by Paxton, Downing & Vaux, Bogardus, and Hoppin, all illustrated here. After the fair closed in November, 1854, the New York Crystal Palace sporadically held tradefairs until 1858 when the iron and glass building burned to the ground in less than 30 minutes. See: Coleman, The Exhibition in the Palace, a Bibliographical Essay, Bulletin of the New York Public Library (Sept., 1960), pp. 459-477; William Ashworth, Scientist of the Day -- New York Crystal Palace, Linda Hall Library (July 14, 2022).…