12th Sep, 2018 10:30 GMT/BST

Books, Maps & Ephemera

 
Lot 37
 

37

Jonas, Peter The Genuine Art of Gauging Made Easy and Familiar, Exhibiting all the Principal...

Jonas, Peter The Genuine Art of Gauging Made Easy and Familiar, Exhibiting all the Principal Methods actually practised by the Officers of His Majesty's Revenue of Excise and Customs. Printed for Dring and Page, 20, Tooley Street, Borough, Hydrometer Makers to the Honourable Board of Excise, 1806. 8vo, full reverse calf, contrasting morocco lettering piece on spine, marbled edges; numerous illus, figures and tables to text. Jonas' work was intended to introduce the topic of gauging, so critical to proper assessment of duties - especially important given the ongoing Napoleonic war and the need for income to prosecute it. In 1806 Britain and Napoleon blockaded each other, leading to smuggling on both sides of the Channel. Jonas intended to lead the reader through the principles which underlay gauging in order to avoid the issues of learning by rote. He had been a customs officer for many years by this point, working in all four of the principal ports of the kingdom. This rare work, which Jonas commends as useful for brewers, distillers and even auctioneers, also contained other useful information such as finding the tonnage of ships and the use of hydrometers to measure the strength of spirits - which latter must have pleased his publishers.

Sold for £40
Estimated at £80 - £100


 

Binding scuffed and rubbed with some loss, upper board cracked but still loosely attached, but barring occasional, slight foxing, clean internally with a tight text block.

 


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Auction: Books, Maps & Ephemera, 12th Sep, 2018

Books, Maps & Ephemera

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