[Rarebooks] FS: First Book on Glass-Making - Very Scarce 1826 Middle Hill Press Edition

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

“Neri's Art of Glass; Translated by C.M. ”

Printed by the Middle Hill Press, Typis Medio-Montanis, F. Crees, in 
1826.

"Having regard to the influence of [Neri's] 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 in 1612 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.

The present copy represents a new edition of Christopher Merret's 1662 
translation of Neri's work, the first English translation. The text as 
issued here includes letters from Merret to Robert Boyle and the 
"Ingenuous Reader", and a letter from Neri to Don Antonio Medici, dated 
January 6, 1611. The publisher, Sir Thomas Phillipps, became famous for 
amassing the largest collection of books and manuscripts in private 
hands in England, an assemblage it took 100 years of auctions to 
disperse. He set up his Middle Hill Press to reprint important English 
works of particular interest, of which obviously he judged this one 
such. Although there is no limitation stated internally, Phillipps 
bibliographers guess that the edition was probably limited to 100 
copies, of which this probably represents an unsold and un-bound copy in 
the original blue paper covers.

An uncommon and intriguing edition of this classic and important work. 
[Duncan 9299].

Softcover. 8.5"x13", title page, viii + 33 + 1 pages; a set of loose, 
unbound sheets contained in a period dark blue paper folder. A little 
wear at the edges, small stab holes in the left margin, else very nice, 
neat and clean.  $375-

Some Pictures =>
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images382/th-38507-cover.jpg>
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images382/th-38507-page1.jpg>
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images382/th-38507-page2.jpg>
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images382/th-38507-page3.jpg>
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images382/th-38507-page4.jpg>
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images382/th-38507-page5.jpg>



-- 

JOSLIN HALL RARE BOOKS, ABAA
Fine books of the 16th-20th centuries
on the decorative and fine arts & design

Post Office Box 239
Northampton, Massachusetts 01061 USA
telephone (413) 247-5080

Our WEBSITE-
<http://www.joslinhall.com>

Our LATEST CATALOG-
   <http://www.joslinhall.com/Catalog361.pdf>

Our EMAIL LIST
   is used to notify you of new catalogs and specials-
   <http://joslinhall.com/mailman/listinfo/jhrbnews_joslinhall.com>


  ~ ~ ~

TERMS:
All payments must be in U.S. funds and negotiable through a U.S. bank; 
We accept checks, money orders, American Express, Visa and Mastercard. 
Books may be reserved pending payment; Institutions may be billed; 
Standard courtesies to institutions and the trade; Postage charges are 
$5.00 for the first book, and $2.00 for each additional book. Shipments 
outside the U.S. will be billed at cost. We accept returns if we are 
notified within ten days of your receipt of the books-please ask for 
full instructions and terms. Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% 
state sales tax.

As members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America we are 
committed to upholding high professional standards and making sure your 
bookbuying experience is enjoyable.