Spons' Mechanics' Own Book: A Manual for Handicraftsmen and Amateurs

xii, 702pp, plus 16 of publisher's adverts at rear, with numerous black and white illustrations, line drawings, diagrams etc. In brown cloth-covered boards with black lettering on front, gilt titles on spine. Speckled edges. 8vo. Cloth worn, rubbed and rounded on corners and spine tips, spine sunned, some mottling on cloth, particularly on rear panel. A little spotting on text block edges, and preliminary pages, else internally neat, clean, bright and tight. A robust, vintage volume giving a comprehensive insight into handicraft practices and techniques of the late 19th century, with sections on mechanical drawing, carpentry, joinery, forging, gasfitting, glazing, polishing and varnishing, gilding, cabinet-making, fretwork etc.