Lots of information in this little leather-bound book on locomotives and boilers by Stephen Roper, engineer. Roper was considered an “expert” and wrote several books on the benefits of steam and its uses. This is classic in the field with some damage and is being sold “as is”.  The binding is torn at front from the buckle up and over with a resultant hole. The page labeled “introduction” is loose but present and untorn. The leather binding has scuffing and color loss. There is a celluloid birthday card marking pages 110-111 that is broken with bits missing. The leather loop to hold the belt is intact. The pages are clean and legible. The gilt edges, top and bottom, are  still shiny. Acceptable Condition: 12mo: black leather foldover binding with loop and belt to close:tear at left side of tongue and through part of gilt embossed locomotive: yellow endpapers with the back fully lifted to show underlying blue and white floral board: scuffing and loss of color to leather: gilt lettering on spine: Roper’s Hand-Book of the Locomotive: frontispiece with tissue overlay intact: page marked “introduction” loose but present: gilt edges intact and still shiny: writing on first spare looks like someone attempted to erase: “Hand-Book of the Locomotive, including the Construction, Running and Management of Locomotive Engines and Boilers with Illustrations” by Stephen Roper, Engineer: Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen & Hafflefinger: 1874. FORN-Shelf-558-RAREA1874ABDA