Handbuch der Astronomischen Instrumentenkunde, 2 vols.

Berlin: J Springer, 1899. First Edition. Original publisher's green cloth.. Very good; x-library copy with a prominent release stamp to the front free endpaper of both volumes; number at the base of the title pages and a small stamp on the verso of the title page; otherwise clean, tight, and bright throughout.. 4to, I - x, 500; II - viii, 501 - 1276 pp. Text illustrations throughout.

A landmark work in the history of instrumentation, theory, and design. Volume one is devoted to the examination of accessory parts - levels, clocks, and circles, mirrors, eye-pieces etc. Older forms are treated at length providing a superb overview of their historical development. Volume two is devoted to complete instruments utilized in observatories. The emphasis is on German makers and does lead to some glaring omissions, e.g., the failure to mention Dent in the clock section. The book is nonetheless an essential reference.