THE COLUMBIA ENCYCLOPEDIA OF USEFUL kNOWLEDGE

Chicago: Globe Association, 1907. Hardcover. Good Plus to Very Good. This 1907 compendium, probably culled from the newspapers and popular magazines of the day, is subtitled, "Our Marvelous Progress in Science Inventions and Commerce." For the curious, it is a fascinating collection of ideas and machinery on the right track, perhaps, but still a ways from the finish line, whether it was automobiles, wireless telegraphy on lighter-than-airships, or the tallest building under construction in NYC, 48 stories or 740 feet, base to top. This is the modern world, just over 100 years ago. Sold by subscription, this volume is about 7 x 9 1/2 inches, 336 pages bound in red cloth-covered boards with gilt lettering and graphic design on front cover. Sorry, no dustjacket. Includes numberous b & w photo reproductions as well as an index and review questions for home study. Gilding on covers is worn and boards show moderate surface and edge wear but no significant damage beyond a nickel-sized spot on back cover where color is bleached. Text is complete, clean and unmarked. Not ex-library. It makes one wonder what our great-grandchildren will think of our current 21st century science and technology. A collectable copy of a very scarce book, ironically, now an antique. (Due to its size and weight, priority/express orders or orders from outside the U.S. will require additional postage.]