Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - October - 2005 Issue
Architectural, Furniture, Art Books and More from Charles Wood Rare Books
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Item 7 is a 10-foot long folding panorama by Imre Benkert, Panorama des Semmerings. Printed in 1855, it depicts one of the marvels of its day, the Semmering Railway, constructed through the Austrian Alps in 1848-1854. This early railway had to master steep gradients, and engineers were forced to construct numerous tunnels and bridges to enable it to traverse its relatively short, yet challenging route. This panorama shows part of the railway along with the beautiful mountain scenery. $800.
Item 31 is a price book from 1815 for one of those items that just about everyone seems to have, paid more than they can afford to buy, and rarely use. The title is, The London Cabinet Makers' Book of Prices for the most improved Extensible Dining Tables... We all have one of these extendible dining room tables, too nice and expensive to actually eat off of except on the rarest of occasions, when we cover the table with enough pads and tablecloths that no one can actually see it. Evidently, these tables were popular even then, as this 1815 first edition was reprinted many times through the century. It needed to be reprinted not because the tables had changed but because the prices had. $1,350.
Item 59 is an unusual pamphlet by David Young, Observations upon Fire, with a View to the Best and Most Expeditious Methods of Extinguishing It, upon a New Plan, with or without Water. This was printed for the author in Edinburgh in 1784. Young recommends smothering the fire with something else if water isn't available, taking away its fuel, or blowing it out with gunpowder. I would recommend being very careful if attempting the latter. $500.
Charles Wood Rare Books may be found online at www.cbwoodbooks.com or reached by phone at 617-868-1711.
