De re metallica libri XII [...].

Folio: [10-2 bl.]-708-[104] pp. (browning, some min. soiling causing 2 sm. holes, lacking the 4 pp. dedication to Joannes Sigfredo).

Binding by Weckesser and sons: black morocco, giltruled spine on 5 raised bands, covers with triple giltruled frames and corner pieces, gilt central oval armorial supralibros on both covers (crowned lion), gilt sides, gilt inside dentelles, marbl. endpapers (very sl. rubbed, spine sl. discol.). Good copy in an excellent, modern binding.

Fourth and final Latin edition (1st Basel 1556) of this famous work on the mining, refining and smelting of metals, by the German mineralogist and metallurgist G. Agricola (1494-1555), known as "the father of mineralogy". Ill.: title vign., 2 plates (one folding) and +/- 270 large woodcuts in text attributed to Hans Rudolf Manuel Deutsch (1525-1572), depicting the different stages of the extraction and transformation of metals. "The first systematic treatise on mining and metallurgy and one of the first technological books of modern times. De Re Metallica embraces everything connected with the mining industry and metallurgical processes, including administration, prospecting, the duties of officials and compagnies, the manufacture of glass, sulphur and alum" (PMM). The work is followed by 6 other, minor works of Agricola, making up an opera omnia of his technological writings: "De animantibus subterraneis" (fourth Latin ed.), and the sixth Latin eds of "De Ortu & Causis Subterraneorum", "De Natura eorum quæ effluunt ex Terra", "De Natura Fossilium", "De Veteribus & Novis Metallis", and "Bermanni sive De re metallica, dialogi". Ref. Printing and the Mind of Man 79. - Caillet 79. - Ferguson I:9. - VD-17 3:309843V. - Cp. Duveen 4. Prov. [Georges Petit].