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Original paper covers bound in., "A classic piece of eccentric Victorian book-making. Given its small size and the various flaps and folding plates, it is no wonder that few copies have survived. The book documents what was supposedly the first tunnel built under a navigable river and was constructed under the supervision by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his father Marc." (Ursus Books, 2024). The Thames Tunnel, completed in 1843, was a pioneering engineering project and the world’s first underwater tunnel. By 1839, the tunnel had already undergone significant construction challenges but was still incomplete. Here’s an overview of the history leading up to and including the 1839 period: Early Vision and Planning: The idea of building a tunnel under the River Thames originated in the early 19th century to ease congestion on London’s bridges, which were heavily trafficked. The industrial revolution had caused a massive increase in goods and passenger traffic between the north and south of the city, and a tunnel was considered a solution. Marc Isambard Brunel, a French-born engineer, developed a groundbreaking method to achieve this: the tunneling shield, a device inspired by the burrowing of shipworms in timber. Start of Construction (1825): Work on the Thames Tunnel began in 1825. Brunel’s tunneling shield allowed workers to dig through soft ground while being protected from collapses, a major innovation at the time. However, the project was plagued with difficulties, including frequent flooding, lack of funding, and dangerous working conditions. Early Setbacks: Between 1825 and 1828, the tunnel faced multiple floods. One of the most significant was in 1828 when the tunnel partially collapsed, and the site flooded. Brunel himself narrowly escaped death during one such incident. After this flood, work was suspended for several years due to financial problems. The tunnel had only progressed about 550 feet under the Thames. Resumption of Work (1835-1839): The tunnel project was restarted in 1835 with new funding from the government and public subscriptions. Brunel’s son, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who would later become one of the most famous engineers of the 19th century, was deeply involved in the construction process. By 1839, progress had improved, but the work remained slow and difficult. Workers faced constant threats of flooding and tunnel collapses. Despite these challenges, the Brunels and their team pushed forward with the project. Key Milestones Around 1839: • The tunnel had by then extended farther across the river, and although it was still incomplete, public optimism was growing about its eventual completion. • The project had captured public attention due to its groundbreaking engineering techniques and the perilous conditions under which workers labored. • By the late 1830s, the tunnel’s survival and progress were seen as monumental engineering achievements despite the ongoing challenges. Completion (1843): The Thames Tunnel was finally completed in 1843 after nearly 18 years of construction. It was a 1,300-foot-long (396 meters) tunnel connecting Rotherhithe on the south bank of the Thames to Wapping on the north. Upon its opening, it was used initially for pedestrian traffic and became a tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors who marveled at this feat of engineering. Legacy: Although it was initially designed to accommodate horse-drawn carriages, it was used primarily for pedestrian traffic until the tunnel was converted for railway use in the 1860s. Today, it forms part of the London Overground rail network. The Thames Tunnel is a landmark in civil engineering, representing the first successful major tunnel built under a navigable river. It set the stage for future tunneling projects and contributed to advances in engineering technology.

Chart showing the construction of buildings (according to the number of rooms) within the construction industry, in the main cities of Italy, from 1913 to 1928. Includes descriptive text. Colored lithograph, on sheet 21 x 29 cm., Lo sviluppo dell'industria italiana, by the Confederazione generale dell'industria italiana; published in Rome, 1929. National and thematic atlas of Italy, featuring the development of Italian industry. Bound in gray paper covers tied with maroon cord. Front cover includes title and imprint. Collation: [10] pages, LXXXIII plates. Volume includes a title page, table of contents and 3 maps and 109 charts on 83 plates. Maps show the industrial activity in the different regions of Italy. Charts represent various Italian industries - such as energy, manufacturing and agriculture - as well as their growth over time, from 1876 to 1928. "An absolutely delightful book, which is essentially an Italian take on the isotype, with the book having been largely composed of charts and diagrams, composed in the same manner as isotypes, but with a distinctly Italian twist. A rare book with OCLC listing no copies in the US and 2 in Europe." (Ursus, 2022)

Map of agriculture in the Région Parisienne [Île-de-France], or the Paris Region, France, circa 1967. Features different types of housing. Also shows cities, roads, forests, bodies of water and drainage. Includes a legend and bar scale. Colored lithograph. Map is 51 x 64 cm, on sheet 56 x 69 cm. "Agriculture 62-4"., Atlas de Paris et de la Region Parisienne, by the Association universitaire de recherches cartographiques et géographiques; published by Editions Berger-Levrault in Paris, 1976. Presented in two objects - the atlas as single sheets housed within a box, and the accompanying text in a volume. Box and volume both covered in beige linen, with the title printed in red on paper and pasted to front covers of each, as well as the spine of the volume. Sheets within box include a title page, preface by Paul Delouvrier (Préfet de la Région Parisienne), a list of the patronage committee, a list of the contributors, a table of contents and 87 leaves of plates. Plates present 404 maps and 16 charts, with many sheets containing multiple maps. Atlas represents the city of Paris and the Région Parisienne [Île-de-France], or the Paris Region, France. Some maps also show France, Europe and the world in order to illustrate the national and international relationships of Paris and the Paris Region. Map topics include political geography, geomorphology, hydrogeography, weather, transportation, architecture, land use and development, population, energy, agriculture, industry, roads, economics, education, communication, tourism and religion. Maps also show vegetation, bodies of water and drainage. Most maps feature data visualization to convey geographical information, with thematic charts dotting the geography. The exquisite graphic design of the maps delivers the information with great visual pleasure. Maps by A.U.R.E.G. [Association universitaire de recherches et d'études géographiques]. The accompanying text volume is comprised of a half title page, title page, Introduction and ten sections, entitled: I. Generalities -- II. Aspects physiques -- III. Structure urbaine -- IV. Population -- V. Transports et energie -- VI. Agriculture -- VII. Industrie -- VIII. Tertiaire -- IX. Role national et international de Paris -- X. Le schema directeur de la Region Parisienne. The volume includes numerous additional maps and charts within its pages.

Ten maps of dwellings in Paris, France, in 1962. Maps show occupancy status by owners, occupancy status by co-owners, population index, over-occupancy and under-occupancy of dwellings, the average number of rooms per dwelling, the number of ordinary dwellings, the lack of amenities according to all four elements of running water, toilets, interior water closets, and central heating, as well as, specifically, dwellings without running water, dwellings without sanitary installation, dwellings without interior water closets and dwellings without central heating. Maps include legends, bar scales (scales differ) and an explanatory note. Colored lithograph. Together, maps are 51 x 64 cm, on sheet 56 x 69 cm. "Structure urbaine 32-4"., Atlas de Paris et de la Region Parisienne, by the Association universitaire de recherches cartographiques et géographiques; published by Editions Berger-Levrault in Paris, 1976. Presented in two objects - the atlas as single sheets housed within a box, and the accompanying text in a volume. Box and volume both covered in beige linen, with the title printed in red on paper and pasted to front covers of each, as well as the spine of the volume. Sheets within box include a title page, preface by Paul Delouvrier (Préfet de la Région Parisienne), a list of the patronage committee, a list of the contributors, a table of contents and 87 leaves of plates. Plates present 404 maps and 16 charts, with many sheets containing multiple maps. Atlas represents the city of Paris and the Région Parisienne [Île-de-France], or the Paris Region, France. Some maps also show France, Europe and the world in order to illustrate the national and international relationships of Paris and the Paris Region. Map topics include political geography, geomorphology, hydrogeography, weather, transportation, architecture, land use and development, population, energy, agriculture, industry, roads, economics, education, communication, tourism and religion. Maps also show vegetation, bodies of water and drainage. Most maps feature data visualization to convey geographical information, with thematic charts dotting the geography. The exquisite graphic design of the maps delivers the information with great visual pleasure. Maps by A.U.R.E.G. [Association universitaire de recherches et d'études géographiques]. The accompanying text volume is comprised of a half title page, title page, Introduction and ten sections, entitled: I. Generalities -- II. Aspects physiques -- III. Structure urbaine -- IV. Population -- V. Transports et energie -- VI. Agriculture -- VII. Industrie -- VIII. Tertiaire -- IX. Role national et international de Paris -- X. Le schema directeur de la Region Parisienne. The volume includes numerous additional maps and charts within its pages.

Four maps of dwellings in Paris, France, from 1949 to 1965. Maps show dwellings built from 1949 to 1962, the perimeter of dwelling renovations in 1965, periods of construction for dwellings and renovation operations in 1965. Maps include legends, bar scales (scales differ) and explanatory notes. With chart: Situation au 31-12-65. Colored lithograph. Together, maps are 51 x 64 cm, on sheet 56 x 69 cm. "Structure urbaine 32-3"., Atlas de Paris et de la Region Parisienne, by the Association universitaire de recherches cartographiques et géographiques; published by Editions Berger-Levrault in Paris, 1976. Presented in two objects - the atlas as single sheets housed within a box, and the accompanying text in a volume. Box and volume both covered in beige linen, with the title printed in red on paper and pasted to front covers of each, as well as the spine of the volume. Sheets within box include a title page, preface by Paul Delouvrier (Préfet de la Région Parisienne), a list of the patronage committee, a list of the contributors, a table of contents and 87 leaves of plates. Plates present 404 maps and 16 charts, with many sheets containing multiple maps. Atlas represents the city of Paris and the Région Parisienne [Île-de-France], or the Paris Region, France. Some maps also show France, Europe and the world in order to illustrate the national and international relationships of Paris and the Paris Region. Map topics include political geography, geomorphology, hydrogeography, weather, transportation, architecture, land use and development, population, energy, agriculture, industry, roads, economics, education, communication, tourism and religion. Maps also show vegetation, bodies of water and drainage. Most maps feature data visualization to convey geographical information, with thematic charts dotting the geography. The exquisite graphic design of the maps delivers the information with great visual pleasure. Maps by A.U.R.E.G. [Association universitaire de recherches et d'études géographiques]. The accompanying text volume is comprised of a half title page, title page, Introduction and ten sections, entitled: I. Generalities -- II. Aspects physiques -- III. Structure urbaine -- IV. Population -- V. Transports et energie -- VI. Agriculture -- VII. Industrie -- VIII. Tertiaire -- IX. Role national et international de Paris -- X. Le schema directeur de la Region Parisienne. The volume includes numerous additional maps and charts within its pages.

Two maps of dwellings in Paris, France, from 1954 to 1965. Maps show dwellings demolished or in the process of being demolished from January 1954 to January 1965, as well as dwellings built including additions, elevations and transformations from January 1954 to January 1965. Maps include legends and a shared bar scale. Colored lithograph. Together, maps are 64 x 51 cm, on sheet 69 x 56 cm. "Structure urbaine 31-5"., Atlas de Paris et de la Region Parisienne, by the Association universitaire de recherches cartographiques et géographiques; published by Editions Berger-Levrault in Paris, 1976. Presented in two objects - the atlas as single sheets housed within a box, and the accompanying text in a volume. Box and volume both covered in beige linen, with the title printed in red on paper and pasted to front covers of each, as well as the spine of the volume. Sheets within box include a title page, preface by Paul Delouvrier (Préfet de la Région Parisienne), a list of the patronage committee, a list of the contributors, a table of contents and 87 leaves of plates. Plates present 404 maps and 16 charts, with many sheets containing multiple maps. Atlas represents the city of Paris and the Région Parisienne [Île-de-France], or the Paris Region, France. Some maps also show France, Europe and the world in order to illustrate the national and international relationships of Paris and the Paris Region. Map topics include political geography, geomorphology, hydrogeography, weather, transportation, architecture, land use and development, population, energy, agriculture, industry, roads, economics, education, communication, tourism and religion. Maps also show vegetation, bodies of water and drainage. Most maps feature data visualization to convey geographical information, with thematic charts dotting the geography. The exquisite graphic design of the maps delivers the information with great visual pleasure. Maps by A.U.R.E.G. [Association universitaire de recherches et d'études géographiques]. The accompanying text volume is comprised of a half title page, title page, Introduction and ten sections, entitled: I. Generalities -- II. Aspects physiques -- III. Structure urbaine -- IV. Population -- V. Transports et energie -- VI. Agriculture -- VII. Industrie -- VIII. Tertiaire -- IX. Role national et international de Paris -- X. Le schema directeur de la Region Parisienne. The volume includes numerous additional maps and charts within its pages.

Thirteen maps of dwellings in Paris, France, in 1962. Maps show the average number of rooms per dwelling, dwellings with one to two rooms and five or more, water supply, sanitary supply, dwelling occupancy rate, dwellings built since 1948, the use of central heating, housing without amenities, the average price per square meter of housing for old and new houses, the average price per square meter of housing without and with amenities, and Parisian green spaces in 1962. Maps include legends and bar scales. Colored lithograph. Together, maps are 51 x 64 cm, on sheet 56 x 69 cm. "Structure urbaine 31-4"., Atlas de Paris et de la Region Parisienne, by the Association universitaire de recherches cartographiques et géographiques; published by Editions Berger-Levrault in Paris, 1976. Presented in two objects - the atlas as single sheets housed within a box, and the accompanying text in a volume. Box and volume both covered in beige linen, with the title printed in red on paper and pasted to front covers of each, as well as the spine of the volume. Sheets within box include a title page, preface by Paul Delouvrier (Préfet de la Région Parisienne), a list of the patronage committee, a list of the contributors, a table of contents and 87 leaves of plates. Plates present 404 maps and 16 charts, with many sheets containing multiple maps. Atlas represents the city of Paris and the Région Parisienne [Île-de-France], or the Paris Region, France. Some maps also show France, Europe and the world in order to illustrate the national and international relationships of Paris and the Paris Region. Map topics include political geography, geomorphology, hydrogeography, weather, transportation, architecture, land use and development, population, energy, agriculture, industry, roads, economics, education, communication, tourism and religion. Maps also show vegetation, bodies of water and drainage. Most maps feature data visualization to convey geographical information, with thematic charts dotting the geography. The exquisite graphic design of the maps delivers the information with great visual pleasure. Maps by A.U.R.E.G. [Association universitaire de recherches et d'études géographiques]. The accompanying text volume is comprised of a half title page, title page, Introduction and ten sections, entitled: I. Generalities -- II. Aspects physiques -- III. Structure urbaine -- IV. Population -- V. Transports et energie -- VI. Agriculture -- VII. Industrie -- VIII. Tertiaire -- IX. Role national et international de Paris -- X. Le schema directeur de la Region Parisienne. The volume includes numerous additional maps and charts within its pages.

Map of the ages and types of dwellings in Paris, France, in 1963. Shows historic houses, mansions and small houses, as well as railways, roads and drainage. Includes a bar scale. With a table indicating the presence of different types of dwellings from 1789 to 1940. Colored lithograph. Map is 51 x 64 cm, on sheet 56 x 69 cm. "Structure urbaine 31-3"., Atlas de Paris et de la Region Parisienne, by the Association universitaire de recherches cartographiques et géographiques; published by Editions Berger-Levrault in Paris, 1976. Presented in two objects - the atlas as single sheets housed within a box, and the accompanying text in a volume. Box and volume both covered in beige linen, with the title printed in red on paper and pasted to front covers of each, as well as the spine of the volume. Sheets within box include a title page, preface by Paul Delouvrier (Préfet de la Région Parisienne), a list of the patronage committee, a list of the contributors, a table of contents and 87 leaves of plates. Plates present 404 maps and 16 charts, with many sheets containing multiple maps. Atlas represents the city of Paris and the Région Parisienne [Île-de-France], or the Paris Region, France. Some maps also show France, Europe and the world in order to illustrate the national and international relationships of Paris and the Paris Region. Map topics include political geography, geomorphology, hydrogeography, weather, transportation, architecture, land use and development, population, energy, agriculture, industry, roads, economics, education, communication, tourism and religion. Maps also show vegetation, bodies of water and drainage. Most maps feature data visualization to convey geographical information, with thematic charts dotting the geography. The exquisite graphic design of the maps delivers the information with great visual pleasure. Maps by A.U.R.E.G. [Association universitaire de recherches et d'études géographiques]. The accompanying text volume is comprised of a half title page, title page, Introduction and ten sections, entitled: I. Generalities -- II. Aspects physiques -- III. Structure urbaine -- IV. Population -- V. Transports et energie -- VI. Agriculture -- VII. Industrie -- VIII. Tertiaire -- IX. Role national et international de Paris -- X. Le schema directeur de la Region Parisienne. The volume includes numerous additional maps and charts within its pages.