G.Stebbing, BEATING THE RECORD. A STORY OF THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GEORGE STEPHENSON. London: John F. Shaw and Co., n.d. Blue cloth hardcover w/ornate titling and man riding camel on the front board, 8vo (7.750x5.375?), good/n.a., a.e.g., 383pp. Light overall wear to boards particularly along the ubiquitous board edges, previous owner?s bookplate on front paste-down from, ?P.S.A. Ore Branch of Robertson Street, Hastings, and with the signature of one, ?M.E. Martin.? Hastings is a town on England and Ore Branch is about 1.5 miles to its north, text block is moderately age-toned with light foxing and soiling along page edges, pretty much throughout. Published around 1896 by John F. Shaw Co., this nicely written biographical tale chronicles the life of George Stephenson, the "Father of Railways." This Victorian-era narrative traces his journey from humble beginnings as a coal miner?s son to becoming a pioneering engineer who revolutionized transportation with his steam locomotive, the Rocket ? quite the distinctive book indeed.