Dissertation Concerning Present State High by Robert Phillips (2 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Good. 1st Edition. Slim, small hardback. First edition published in 1737 following the dissertation having been presented to the Royal Society in 1736-7. Later plain boards, now bowed and with significant wear to corners. Label marks to the outside of the rear board. Spine with title label showing slight loss. Later endpapers/blanks. Gilt to upper face of text block. Title page discoloured and showing signs of archival repair. Pin marks close to binding edges of pages. Contents bright in comparison to the title page. A few small, marginal pencil notes. Very faint stain to lower edge of final leaves. Decorative head and tailpieces. Title; dedication (2pp); preface (6pp); contents (6pp); dissertation (p1-p51); blank for p52; A Description of the NEW ROAD in Hyde-Park (p53-p62); diagrammatic leaves (8 including 1 folding); advertisement (1pp). The dissertation laments the state and poor maintenance of the turnpikes at this time, particularly relating to travel to and from London. The author then proposes how the action can be taken to repair the roads, accompanied by the illustrated diagrams to the rear of the book. Further details available on request. (Ud4).

London, Gilliver and Clarke, 1737. 8vo. Near contemporary half calf with gilt title label. (16),62,(2) pp. and 8 engraved plates (1 folding). 4cm tear to bottom of title page - proffesionally repaired with no loss. A fine clean copy. First edition. Phillips recognized that a layer of gravel, if resting on a well-drained dry sole would be beaten by the traffic into a firm road surface. He was thus the pioneer in the development of the Macadam method. The present work is described in Gregory: The Story of the Road, p.207-211. Very uncommon.