Shand, Mason & Co's Illustrated Catalogue of Improved Manual Fire Engines for Public and Private Use, also of Hose and Auction-Pipe for the Engines

Undated but circa 1910 (dated from internal evidence). Paginated in sections, circa 250pp, copiously illustrated in black and white.  In strong card printed covers, thumb tabbed.  8vo.  Boards heavily worn, scufffed and marked; rubbed at edges, right through on rounded corners.  Backstrip disintergrated, holding but fragile, loosening boards.  Endpapers chipped and discoloured.  Some wear to page edges, the occasional annotation and damaged page but generally internally neat, clean and bright.  An catalogue of the products produced and sold by Shand, Mason & Co, including Manual Fire Engines, Chemical Fire Engines, Portable Fire Appliances, Fire Escapes, Hose Carriages and Reels, Fire Brigade Accessories, Uniforms, Fire Hydrants and Hoses etc.  Beautifully illustrated with photographic images and many drawings of machines etc, preceded by a brief history of the company.  The company, which operated from Upper Ground in Blackfrairs was established in 1760 by Samuel Phillips, becoming later Phillips and Hopwood, Tilley and Co and, later still, Shand, Mason & Co.  It was eventually taken over in 1928 by its main rival and long-time collaborator, Merryweather & Sons.  Fascinating insight into the history of fire engines and other fire-fighting equipment, full of technical specifications.