A very RARE and beautiful 2 volume set..."Traité élémentaire des chemins de fer" (1858) It is a renowned and fundamental scientific-technical work on the history, engineering, and development of railways during that era, written by the French engineer Auguste Perdonnet (1801–1867). The 1858 edition is the second edition (the first was published between 1855 and 1856) and was printed in Paris by the publishing house Langlois et Leclercq. • Technical content: The treatise provides a detailed analysis of the construction and operational aspects of 19th-century railway networks, covering track design, traction, gradients, bridge construction, and the technological evolution of trains. • Illustrations: The text is historically noted for its wealth of scientific illustrations, detailed charts, and full-page engravings, including cross-sections of steam locomotives and various engineering components. It also features portraits and historical references, such as one of George Stephenson, the father of modern railways. • Historical significance: Auguste Perdonnet was one of Europe’s foremost experts and popularizers of railway technology—so much so that a prominent association of engineers and a street in Paris are named after him. This manual is considered a milestone in 19th-century industrial literature. Books in fair condition.... externally half leather with wear around edges and corners, shelfwear, some losses, corners bruised especially rear lower corners of volume 1 affecting a few pages inside-see photos. Inside stains scattered but text readable!!! In vol 1 missing a section of a folding table-see photos. Ancient water sign on upper part of pages more evident at beginning in vol 1. In vol 2 ancient water sign on pages at beginning more evident on upper part. Then some ancient water sign on margins, some pages more evident, some a bit. Books complete. Overall a fair copy of a scarce and interesting books!!!