From: 'Description of the Projects and Construction of the Bridges of Neuilly, Mantes, Orléans and others, of the Project of the Burgundy Canal, For the Communication of the Two Seas by Dijon, and of that of the Conduit of the Waters of the Yvette and Bièvre to Paris' (and the Supplement), by Jean Rodolphe Perronet, Burgundy Canal, for the connection of the two seas by Dijon, and those for the canals of Yvette and Bièvre to Paris.), Paris: Imprimerie Royale, 1782-83 (the supplement published by Didot & Jombert, 1789).

Jean Rodolphe Perronet (1708-1794) was a French architect and construction engineer, best known for his stone arch bridges. He is considered the father of modern bridge construction. In 1747, Perronet was appointed director of the Bureau des Dessinateurs du Roi (King's Draftsmen's Office). At this first École des Ponts et Chaussées (School of Bridges and Roads), Perronet was responsible for training bridge and road engineers and supervising their work in the regions where they practiced. The office was renamed the École des Ponts et Chaussées (School of Bridges and Roads) in 1775. An organizer, inspirer, and teacher, Perronet was a true spiritual father to his students and used a new teaching method. Appointed First Engineer to the King in 1763, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1788, after becoming a member of the Academy of Sciences in 1765. In addition to bridges, 2,500 kilometers of roads were built or repaired under Perronet's direction.

A fine print trimmed to the copperplate margin, with two small dents visible mainly on the verso, a common mark of a miter fold.