Tableaux Du SystèMe MéTrique AccompagnéS D'un Livret Explicatif. Tarnier, ÉTienne Auguste.

First edition of this striking exposition of the metric system, with the colour tables illustrating the system's measuring instruments, and the units of measurements of surface, volume, liquids, and weight, its application for measuring grain and other dry matter, and finally the metric system of coinage, illustrated with the coins of Napoleon III. This plate book was published alongside Tarnier's text volume explaining the system, Livret explicatif des tableaux du système métrique, published the same year. Tarnier writes in his introduction to that volume his intent to promote the understanding in France of the system, which had been adopted under the Revolution in 1799, abandoned by Napoleon in 1812, and reinstated in 1840. Much of rural France still continued to use the old weights and measures, although the metric system was becoming ubiquitous. Folio (420 x 283 mm). Contemporary purple sheep-backed mottled boards, spine lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers. With 8 double-page colour tables. Bookseller's ticket of F. Barbier à Beaune. Spine slightly rubbed with a little skilful retouching, some stripping to covers, light wear at extremities, front hinge a little tender but holding. A very good copy.