The Life and Work of Joseph Firbank Railway Contractor 1st 1887

Author : Frederick McDermott 

Title:  The Life and Work of Joseph Firbank Railway Contractor 

Condition Of Book:  This is a Very Good + Copy of this book in a rich and handsome full calf binding with bright gilt titles to spine and upper cover and there are five raised bands to spine with gilt lined borders and with lavish gilt borders to both front and rear boards.All the page edges are in gilt and remain bright and lavish with gilt inner dentelles.Rich and vibrant red coloured marbled endpapers.There are no previous names or inscriptions present.The book has a firm binding with no hinge weakness and with no leaning to spine.Lovely clean copy with some foxing noted to the pre-lims and title page etc.Issued with 12 Chapters and appendix and there are some 30 wonderful illustrations within the book.8vo [v] 144pp First Edition [1887] 

NB Joseph Firbank was a Railway Contractor and in 1841 Firbank secured a sub-contract in connection with the Woodhead tunnel on the Stockton and Darlington Line and in 1845 and 1846 he took contracts on the Midland Railway. The opposition to railway construction was so great at this time that on one occasion Firbank was captured and kept a prisoner for twenty-four hours. Several landowners would not permit contractors or their workmen to approach their premises

In 1848, Firbank was engaged on the Rugby & Stamford branch of the North Western Railways and he lost most of his savings by the bankruptcy of the former contractor of the line.