pp. viii, (24) [Lithograph Plates], 53 [Phraseograms], (10) [Blank ruled pages], 7 [Catalogue of Phonographic Works], (1) [American Phonetic Association]. Lithograph plates age stained. Inked ownership of C. A. Hughes on front paste down. All edges marbled. 177mm. Original full stamped publisher's cloth binding. Boards embossed in blind. Front board title decorated and lettered in gilt. A few small nicks otherwise a bright copy. Hardbound. Very good+. English born Benn Pitman (1822-1910), assisted his brother Isaac in perfecting the latter's system of shorthand phonography (1837). From 1843 till 1852 he lectured on the system throughout Great Britain, and had a large share in compiling his brother's text-books. At Isaac's request he came to the United States in January, 1853, to give instruction in phonography, and settled at Cincinnati. In 1855 he discovered the process of producing relief copper-plates of engraved work by the galvanic process known as electrotypes, for which he was awarded a silver medal by the Cincinnati Mechanics' Institute. The following year he succeeded, in connection with Dr. J. B. Burns, in producing stereotype plates by the gelatine process in photo-engraving. From 1865 to 1867 he acted as the official stenographer during the trials of the assassin, of President Lincoln, the "Sons of Liberty," the Ku-Klux Klan, and other similar government prosecutions. He also edited and compiled the printed reports of these trials. In 1873 he abandoned reporting and became connected with the school of design, now the art academy, of the University of Cincinnati. His object was to secure the development of American decorative art and to open up a new profession for women. SHORTHAND
