Gordon, Alexander. Historical and practical treatise on movement without animal power, by means of steam cars on ordinary highways. VI, 1 Bl., 324 pp. With 15 (instead of 14, according to the title) foldable copper plates and 1 folded table for p. 280. 20,5 x 12 cm. Cardboard tape d. Zt. (peeled and a little toasted). Weimar, Landes-Industrie-Comptoir, 1833. Nine 326. Engelmann 123. Hoeltzel 66. Haskell 178. Ottley 305. – The only German edition of "An Historical and practical treatise upon elemental locomotion ...", London and Edinburgh, 1832. Alexander Gordon (1802-1868) was manager of the gas works in London and later constructed beacons and towers in the British colonies, including the Morant Point Lighthouse on the eastern tip of Jamaica, the first cast-iron beacon in the western hemisphere. In this work he treats the steam engine in general and in particular the steam carriages as well as the ways on which they can travel. In addition to technical details also with beautiful exterior views of two steam carriages. The unnumbered panel shows details of Gurney's steam van. Rarely available in stores. – Title verso with "invalid" overstamped stamp, of which only two crossed hammers can be recognized. Slightly patchy.