[Rarebooks] FS: 1817 Edition of the First Book on Glassmaking

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

"L'Arte Vetraria distinta in libri sette..."

By Antonio Neri. Published in Milan by Giovanni Silvestri: 1817.

Neris landmark book was first published in Florence in 1612. "Having
regard to the influence of this book on future writers on the subject,
especially upon those who sought to make glass by Venetian methods in
England and elsewhere, it may without doubt be given the premier place as
the most important work that has ever appeared on the preparation of
glass" (Dillon).

We know little of Antonio Neri (1576-1614), except that he was a
Florentine priest and chemist who broke tradition by publishing the first
printed book solely devoted to the art of the glassmaker. These arts were
trade secrets, and you didn't fool around with trade secrets. The
Venetians (for instance) guarded their own glassmaking formulas and
techniques so jealously that they had announced a death penalty for any
glassmaker who traveled abroad and shared them. In his "L'Arte Vetraria"
Neri documented and described the formulas for glass derived from his own
long association with the glassworks in Florence and Antwerp; Ferguson
notes that he also worked at the Murano glasshouses. Neri began in
Florence under the patronage of Antonio de Medici, to whom he formally
dedicates this book in the usual florid style of the day. Neri later moved
to Pisa and Antwerp, before returning to Florence around 1611.

Neri's book was translated into English (1662), Latin (1668), German
(1678), and Spanish (ca.1778). The book also became the basis for a number
of later works. OCLC lists just 6 examples of this Milan 1817 edition.

Softcover. 4"x6.5", xxiv + 279 + [i] pages. Issued as part of the
Biblioteca scelta d'OpereItaliane series, and with the original orange
paper covers with the series title printed on the front cover and Neri's
title printed on the spine. Covers soiled and somewhat worn, spine with
large chip taking out the top third, but it is very pleasing that these
fragile paper covers have survived at all. The tips are thumbed, some
light internal spotting and soil. Despite the flaws, a very pleasing copy
in its original covers. $375

Some pictures =>

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<http://www.joslinhall.com/images05/th-05318-page1.jpg>
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