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AGRICOLA, G. (1494-1555). De re metallica. Basel: J. Froben and N. Episcopius, 1556.
First edition of ‘the first systematic treatise on mining and metallurgy, and one of the first technological works of modern times’ (PMM). The last of a flow of important technological, economic and philosophical works by Agricola, De re metallica combined a profound technical and financial knowledge of mining with an underlying interest in the health and daily routine of mine workers. Written over a 20-year period between 1530 and 1550, the 12 books of De re metallica have an earlier treatise on subterranean zoology, De animantibus subterraneis (first published Basel: 1549) appended, and 'embrace everything connected with the mining industry and metallurgical processes, including administration, prospecting, the duties of officials and companies, and the manufacture of glass, sulphur and alum' (PMM). The work is richly illustrated throughout with large and vivid woodcuts depicting a wide variety of mining techniques and processes, engineering and equipment in action. Adams A-349; Hoover 17; Norman 20; PMM 79.
Folio (327 x 220mm). With the blank a6. Woodcut printer’s device on title and verso of final leaf, numerous woodcut illustrations in the text, 2 woodcut plates, one folding, woodcut initials (marginal repairs in first 2 quires, minor worming in gutter of quires i-x, occasional light dampstains, title and following leaf a little soiled). Contemporary calf, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt (rebacked and recornered). Provenance: Library of John Jackson, and thence to the Warrington Museum Library (label dated 1875).
First edition of ‘the first systematic treatise on mining and metallurgy, and one of the first technological works of modern times’ (PMM). The last of a flow of important technological, economic and philosophical works by Agricola, De re metallica combined a profound technical and financial knowledge of mining with an underlying interest in the health and daily routine of mine workers. Written over a 20-year period between 1530 and 1550, the 12 books of De re metallica have an earlier treatise on subterranean zoology, De animantibus subterraneis (first published Basel: 1549) appended, and 'embrace everything connected with the mining industry and metallurgical processes, including administration, prospecting, the duties of officials and companies, and the manufacture of glass, sulphur and alum' (PMM). The work is richly illustrated throughout with large and vivid woodcuts depicting a wide variety of mining techniques and processes, engineering and equipment in action. Adams A-349; Hoover 17; Norman 20; PMM 79.
Folio (327 x 220mm). With the blank a6. Woodcut printer’s device on title and verso of final leaf, numerous woodcut illustrations in the text, 2 woodcut plates, one folding, woodcut initials (marginal repairs in first 2 quires, minor worming in gutter of quires i-x, occasional light dampstains, title and following leaf a little soiled). Contemporary calf, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt (rebacked and recornered). Provenance: Library of John Jackson, and thence to the Warrington Museum Library (label dated 1875).
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