This comprehensive and detailed book explores the history and development of automata (clockwork mechanisms designed to simulate human movements). It concentrates on the eighteenth century and particularly the work of Jacquet Droz, renowned watchmaker of the period, who used the automata he created to help him sell his watches and clocks.

First edition; 4to (270 x 200 mm), numbered 2951, coloured frontispiece, profusely illustrated with black & white illustrations in the text, some full-page colour illustrated, red silk endpapers, edged with gilt decoration, binder's stamp on front pastedown; bound by Zaehnsdorf in full red morocco gilt, gilt motifs on upper & lower covers, all edges gilt, spine gilt lettered and ruled with raised bands, housed in red cloth slipcase; a very good copy; 425pp.