Internally - First Edition. 1876. First edition. xxvii, 339pp., a double-page frontispiece plan of the collection at the South Kensington Museum, and several black and white illustrations (both full-page and within the text). Externally the volume has obviously been re-bound with mid-blue cloth boards. The title on the spine in gilt lettering with additionally \"S. Kensington Museum\" Inside the front cover are library notices of the S. Kensington Museum and Southward Libraries. On the first blank page there is a pencil entry - \"Includes two important essays by James Clark Maxwell.\" Overall the book is in exceptionally good condition.In 1876 the South Kensington Museum held a major international exhibition of scientific instruments and equipment, both historical and contemporary. Many of the items were retained and eventually formed the basis of important collections now held at the Science Museum, London. The catalogue lists a huge variety of items, ranging from slide rules and telescopes to lighthouse parts and medical equipment. It gives detailed explanations of how they were used, and notes of their ownership and provenance. The opening pages comprehensively record the contributing individuals and institutions in Britain, Europe and America. The book is bound in the original green cloth covered boards with gold titling on the spine and gold and black titling on the front board.