EVANS, OLIVER. The Young Mill-Wright & Miller's Guide. 26 engraved plates. [8], 160, 178 [i. e., 176], 90, 10, [12] pages. 8vo, contemporary sheep, spine ends chipped, extremities worn, front joint starting; contents foxed and soiled, plate 8 in

EVANS, OLIVER. The Young Mill-Wright & Miller's Guide. 26 engraved plates. [8], 160, 178 [i. e., 176], 90, 10, [12] pages. 8vo, contemporary sheep, spine ends chipped, extremities worn, front joint starting; contents foxed and soiled, plate 8 in first series torn in blank lower margin, corner off plate 9 in second series causing slight image loss. Owner's purchase inscription dated 25 January 1799on front free endpaper. Philadelphia: for the Author, 1795 E1000-2000 FIRST EDITION of the first book by a pioneer American inventor (1755-1819) who built the first steam engine in the United States. "Evans devoted five years to the development of water-powered machinery for flour mills . . . essentially mechanizing all the operations of the mill. Unfortunately he was unable to interest millers in these improvements. The first leaf of the subscribers' list carries the names of George Washington, as President, and Thomas Jefferson, as Secretary of State"- Bibliotheca Mechanica, page 108. Evans 28644. SIGNED BY BARON KELVIN