Naval Architecture Appraisal

The Design and Construction of Ships, Vol. II by John Harvard Biles

This item is identified as Volume II of a hardcover book titled 'THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS', specifically focusing on 'STABILITY, RESISTANCE, PROPULSION, AND OSCILLATIONS OF SHIPS'. Written by John Harvard Biles, LL.D., D.Sc., a Professor of Naval Architecture at the University of Glasgow, this volume is indicated to contain '310 Illustrations, including 4 Folding Plates'. The publishers are listed as Charles Griffin and Company, Limited of London, and J. K. Lippincott Company of Philadelphia, with a publication date of 1911. The front cover, which is cream or off-white in color, displays typical age-related toning and minor soiling, particularly evident around the edges and center. A notable feature is a purple, oval-shaped ink stamp on the right side of the page, reading 'Department of Engineering Draw, APR 25-1941, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO', indicating prior ownership by the University of Toronto's Engineering Department. Below this is a smaller, circular stamp, possibly a bookplate or library mark, though its details are not clearly discernible beyond a tree-like emblem. The physical condition is described as good, suggesting minimal wear beyond surface discoloration. There are no obvious tears, significant creases, or major damage visible in the provided image. The typography is clear and well-preserved, reflecting the printing standards of the early 20th century. The book is an academic or technical work, likely intended for students and professionals in naval architecture and marine engineering, making it a valuable historical artifact for studying the development of shipbuilding knowledge during that era. Its condition and the presence of institutional marks contribute to its provenance and potential interest for collectors of antique technical literature.