LALANDE, Joseph Jerome Le Francois de

Des Canaux de Navigation, et spécialement du Canal de Languedoc

      14 engraved plates (5 are folding). 2 p.l., xix, [1], 588 pp. Folio, cont. mottled calf (two corners a little worn), spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. Paris: la Veuve Desaint, 1778.pFirst edition of this handsome work written by the great astronomer. "This is the first major account of the 17th century Canal du Midi. It covers the background history of Riquet's extraordinary and influential project together with details of its construction, administration, and 'Anecdotes Diverses'...The work is a valuable source of information on many other French canals such as the Briare (forerunner of the Midi) and the Orleans as well as smaller regional waterways and various unexecuted schemes. It also contains sections on canals all over Europe, Asia, Africa, America and China. All his life Lalande was known for his love of the spectacular; in this case it has resulted in the most splendid of all canal books."!Julia Elton in Weinreb, Cat. 50, item 130. Very good copy.. First Edition. Hard cover.