[ANON; PREST, T. (translator)]. Le Blindage en 1888. Paris (?): [publisher unknow], n.d., [circa 1888].
FIRST EDITION; leather-bound, hardcover, tall octavo (26 x 16 x 4 cm), pp. viii, 155 + 54 leaves with 98 photographic prints tipped on to one side. French text translated from English by T. Prest. Stunning fine binding of black full morocco gilt, British Royal coat of arms to upper cover, all edges gilt, moiré silk endpapers, frontispiece, simple title-page, numerous diagrams in the text, printed footnotes, original letter from the Fried. Krupp company bound in at the rear. Condition: NEAR FINE. Binding tight and secure, the hinges and joints perfectly intact. Covers beautifully preserved. Couple of trivial marks to the interior, else fine. Extremely scarce.
Notes: A very rare account of the development of armour and shielding in Europe in the late 19th century, covering the testing and manufacturing methods of armour plates in England, France, Italy, Russia, Denmark, and Austria, during the 1870s-1880s; with further chapters on armour for the defence of coasts and forts, mixed and steel armour, and protecting warships. Included at the rear of the volume is a handwritten letter dated 24 May, 1888, from the Fried. Krupp company, one of the largest producers of armaments in the world at the time.
