[Rarebooks] FS: THE FIRST ENGLISH WORK ON MINING AND METALLURGY, 1639
Charles Agvent
chagvent at ptd.net
Fri May 7 10:08:08 EDT 2010
PLATTES, Gabriel. A DISCOVERY OF SUBTERRANEALL TREASURE, VIZ. OF ALL
MANNER OF MINES AND MINERALLS, FROM THE GOLD TO THE COALE WITH PLAINE
DIRECTIONS AND RULES FOR THE FINDING OF THEM IN ALL KINGDOMES AND
COUNTRIES. AND ALSO THE ART OF MELTING, REFINING, AND ASSAYING OF
THEM.... WHEREUNTO IS ADDED A REALL EXPERIMENT WHEREBY EVERY IGNORANT
MAN MAY PRESENTLY TRY WHETHER ANY PEECE OF GOLD THAT SHAL COME TO HIS
HANDS BE TRUE OR CONTERFEIT.... ALSO A PERFECT WAY TO TRY WHAT COLOUR
ANY BERRY, LEAFE, FLOWER, STALKE, ROOT, FRUIT, SEED, BARKE, OR WOOD WILL
GIVE: WITH A PERFECT WAY TO MAKE COLOURS THAT THEY SHALL NOT STAYNE NOR
FADE LIKE ORDINARY COLOURS. London: J. Okes, for Jasper Emery, 1639.
First Edition. Small quarto (4-7/8" x 7") in modern plain green boards
with a morocco spine label. x, 60 pages. Trimmed close affecting the
tops of some words/numbers including the title page. Last text page
soiled with two words obscured. Fore-edge of boards bumped. Very Good or
better copy of this genuinely scarce book.
THE FIRST ENGLISH WORK ON MINING AND METALLURGY and the first to
describe the process of separating silver and gold by nitric acid.
Chapters cover locating, smelting, and refining various minerals, with
mention of Peru and "the new plantations, as New England, Virginia,
Bermudas, etc." Plattes states the partly alchemical nature of gold
while denying theories of transmutation and gives his method for
detecting counterfeit gold. The next to last chapter is devoted to coal,
and the final chapter is concerned with color dyeing and the extraction
of fast dyes from vegetable sources, with several recipes given. Plattes
also wrote another "book of secrets" having to do with husbandry which
is much less significant historically. $6,000.00
--
All items subject to prior sale. Cash with order; institutions may be
billed. Postage additional: $10.00 for the first book; $5.00 each
thereafter. Overseas postage billed at approximate cost. Pennsylvania
residents must add 6% sales tax. Mastercard, Visa, American Express and
Discover accepted. Books may be returned within 10 days of receipt for
any reason provided they are in the same condition as sent and prior
notice is given. Please insure returns for their full value. We carry a
diverse stock with major specialties including Modern and 19th Century
Literary First Editions, Autographed Books, and the world's largest
inventory of Limited Editions Club books. We are celebrating our 22nd
year of business and are proud to be members of the Antiquarian
Booksellers Association of America (ABAA) and the International League
of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). Please feel free to contact us with
any wants or offerings. Thank you.
CHARLES AGVENT
291 Linden Road
Mertztown, PA 19539-8750
610-682-4750
info at charlesagvent.com
Please visit our shop: http://www.charlesagvent.com
More information about the Rarebooks
mailing list