All published, in original wrappers, one inscribed

Means, James (editor)

The Aeronautical Annual: 1895, 1896, and 1897 PLUS Epitome of the Aeronautical Annual from 1910 [ All issued in original wrappers ]

Boston, Massachusetts: W. B. Clarke & Co. 1895-1910. First Edition. Four volumes,all published. Bindings are 6 x 9 1/8 inches. Wrappers are a thin linen glazed paper.
No 1: 172 pages + XVI plates (including colored frontis). Pages 141-159 reprints a pamphlet "The Problem of Manflight" by Means from 1894, followed by an editorial. Light blue tinted wrappers. Generally bright and clean.
No 2: 158 pages plus XVI plates (including colored frontis). Tan printed wrappers. INSCRIBED by Means "George Oakley Totten, Hr. Esq with the compliments of oJeames Means June 1909" at head of front wrapper. Soiled overall, some paper loss to spine panel, lower right corner bumped. Adds London: William Wesley & Son imprint.
No 3: 178 pages plus XVIII plates (including colored frontis). Wear to spine panel with some loss of covering and cracking.
No 4: [8], 5-219 pages + XVIII plates (including b&w frontis). Title page returns to the original imprint, but the front wrapper notes William Wesley & Son in London will sell it.
A very nice set. Very Good. Wraps. [27672]


"Devoted to the Encouragement of Experiment with Aerial Machines, and to the Advancement of the Science of Aerodynamics."

A short-lived but interesting and important annual devoted to early aeronautics. Figures that play prominently in the articles include "Cayley, Wenham, Lilienthal, Chanute, Maxim, Langley and others, giving accounts fo their researches and experiments" (from the cover of the EPITOME.

It is hard to find a complete set in good condition more than 100 years after the fact - especially given the continuing interest in early aviation. A nice find.

ITEM SOLD