1897 · London
by Maxim, Hudson.
London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1897. Hudson Maxim was the brother of Hiram (Maxim machine gun) and a developer of modern smokeless powder and other high explosives, the rights to which he eventually sold to Dupont. In this work, apparently published privately, his aerial torpedoes are essentially giant naval guns charged with his new smokeless powder, designed to shoot massive shells (up to 1000 pounds) loaded with gun cotton. The photographic frontispiece shows partially burned particles of smokeless powder. The pages are printed on recto only. Text and illustrations are precise, technical, yet still understandable - as Hudson, with rigorous logic, frames his airtight argument for smokeless powder and aerial torpedoes. With the bookplate of Wican Library on the front pastedown, their blindstamp in the lower corner of the title page, small ink stamp on the verso, and no other markings. Bound in blue cloth with gold cover and spine lettering. Light wear to spine ends and front joint. Most unusual.. Oblong folio, 36 cm. (5) 33 pp. plus 16 plates. b/w photographic frontispiece, b/w plates (Inventory #: 48028)