We found 105409 price guide item(s) matching your search

Mining.- Brazil.- Mawe (John) Travels in the Interior of Brazil, particularly in the Gold and Diamond Districts..., first edition, engraved frontispiece, maps and 7 plates, one of minerals hand-coloured, most plates foxed and offset, with contemporary manuscript note "First impressions fr the Author" on front free endpaper, later half morocco, spine gilt, t.e.g., rubbed, spine faded, [Sabin 46991], 4to, 1812.⁂ Contains some of the earliest descriptions of the gold, diamond and topaz mines of Brazil.

Mercati (Michele) Metallotheca. Opus posthumum, 2 parts in 1, including appendix, first illustrated edition, folding engraved frontispiece, titles in red and black and with engraved vignette, 6 engraved plates (1 folding), engraved illustrations, errata f. and 'Regestum' f. with engraved printer's device at end of part 1, lacking half-title and a portrait, some spotting or light foxing, contemporary calf, rebacked, corners worn, rubbed, [Hoover 581; Sinkankas 4390; Ward & Carozzi 1541; Caillet 7390], folio, Rome, Johannes Maria Salvioni, 1719.⁂ A landmark treatise in the history of mineralogy and metallurgy. Mercati was personal physician to Popes Gregory XIII and Clement VIII, and superintendent of the Vatican Botanical Garden. He formed one of the first organised collections of minerals under the aegis of Pope Sixtus V. 'The collection reflects the state of knowledge extant at the time, and therefore includes objects of presumed magical or medicinal virtue as well as those which are correctly identified and described' (Sinkankas).

Horology.- Mudge (Thomas) Thoughts on the Means of Improving Watches, And most particularly those for the Use of the Sea, first edition, 16pp., trace of small ink stamp to title, modern library half calf, 8vo, 1765.⁂ Extremely rare with no copies traced at auction and ESTC locating 5 copies, of which only 2 are in this country (though the National Maritime Museum also holds a copy). Mudge was the foremost horologist of his time and is still recognised as having contributed the single most important invention to watch-making - the lever escapement. In this short paper he acknowledges John Harrison's achievement in winning the prize for his watch for ascertaining the longitude of a ship at sea and says his work's publication "cannot be supposed to be done with a View to prejudice him; indeed his mechanical Merit is too great to receive any Hurt by the Publication of any Thing upon that Subject by me, or any Body that I know."

Worcestershire.- Nash (Treadway Russell) Collections for the History of Worcestershire, 2 vol., first edition, presentation copy with inscription "Presented by the Rev. Author Dr. Treadway Russell Nash to James Ross of Worcester 1784" to head of endpapers, engraved vignette titles for first and second editions, extra-illustrated with c.130 engraved and mezzotint views, plans, portraits etc. in total, numerous engraved illustrations, folding pedigrees, numerous ink notes by Ross to text margins and initialled pencil notes by Ross to plate margins, 1f. autograph notes by Ross loosely inserted, occasional light spotting or offsetting, 20th century morocco, gilt, joints rubbed, uncut, 1781-99; and 2 others,12pp. bound autograph notes and corrections by Ross and the 1895 Index relating to the same, folio (4)⁂ James Ross of Worcester (1746-1831) engraved many of the views that appear in Nash's work.

Barba (Albaro Alonso) The art of metals, in which is declared the manner of their generation, and the concomitants of them. In two books, translated by Edward, Earl of Sandwich, 2 parts in 1, engraved plate, lacking final blank, contemporary calf, rebacked, corners worn, rubbed, [Duveen, p.42; Hoover 83; Ward and Carozzi 113; Wellcome II, p.96; Wing B678], 8vo, printed for S. Mearne, stationer to the Kings most excellent Majesty, 1674.⁂ Second edition in English of this important work on mining and metallurgy. Originally published in Spanish in 1639 it was the first significant work on mining in that language, and indeed the first book on mining in the Americas. Includes the extraction of silver using mercury, and the extraction of gold, silver and copper by boiling with salt solution and mercury in a copper vessel. 'Barba was ... pastor of St. Bernards at Potosi, in South America. While there he had the opportunity of studying minerals and mining, extraction of silver and assaying, and became very skilful in these branches of science.' (Ferguson).

Nazari (Giovanni Battista) Della tramutatione metallica sogni tre, collation: *4 A-Y4, title with first word in woodcut cartouche and with woodcut printer's device, woodcut illustrations, some full-page, woodcut historiated initials, penultimate f. with woodcut printer's device recto, otherwise blank, Y4 blank, occasional early ink marginalia, browned, lower corners trimmed away, some staining, 20th century limp vellum, spine titled in gilt, 4to (207 x 147mm.), Brescia, Francesco & Pietro Maria Marchetti, 1572.⁂ Rare second edition of this alchemical work, which takes the form of dreams. Includes a list of authors and books of an alchemical nature. Literature: Ferguson II, p.131 (note); EDIT 16 CNCE 28322; cf. Duveen p.426.

NO RESERVE Chemistry.- Neumann (Caspar) The Chemical Works, edited by William Lewis, occasional spotting, contemporary speckled calf, corners worn, rubbed, Printed for W. Johnston [& others], 1759 § Keir (James) The first part of a dictionary of chemistry, &c., part 1 only [all published], first edition, double column, occasional spotting, 20th century half calf, Birmingham, printed by Pearson and Rollason, 1789; and 46 others Chemistry, v.s. (48)

Gemology.- Nicols (Thomas) A Lapidary: Or, The History of Precious Stones..., first edition, issue with "Printer to the Universitie" in imprint, lacking initial blank and folding table, woodcut initials and head-pieces, contemporary ink inscription to head of first leaf of text and scribblings to verso of final leaf, browned and water-stained, hole to title, contemporary calf, rubbed, splits to joints, [Wing N1145], small 4to, Cambridge, by Thomas Buck, printer to the Universitie, 1652.⁂ The first book written in English on gemstones. Nicols begins with a general study of precious stones, discussing their origin, history, physical properties, methods of polishing, types of settings, real and imitation stones, and supernatural properties. He then devotes one chapter to each of more than 60 individual gems.

Mining & metallurgy.- Barba (Albaro Alonso) Berg-Büchlein, darinnen von der Metallen und Mineralien Generalia und Ursprung, wie auch von derselben Natur und Eigenschafft, Mannigfaltigkeit, Scheidung und Fein-machung, imgleichen allerhand Edelgesteinen, ihre Generation etc., 2 parts in 1, gothic letter, folding engraved plate, occasional spotting, lightly browned, contemporary mottled calf, richly gilt spine in compartments and with orange morocco label, [Fergusson I, pp.70-71; Hoover 84; Wellcome II, p.96], 8vo, Hamburg, Gottfried Schulzen, 1676.⁂ First edition in German. Provenance: M. Nierenstein (bookplate).

NO RESERVE Architecture.- Palladio (Andrea) The First Book of Architecture... with an Appendix touching Doors and Windows, translated by Godfrey Richards, eighth edition, engraved additional pictorial title and 70 engraved plates and illustrations only (of 71, lacking Z3), 5 folding including a view of St. Paul's, woodcut illustrations, one plate bound upside down, browned, some stains, folding plates at end torn and repaired, first and last leaves frayed and reinforced at fore-edge, modern half morocco, [Harris 678], for Eben. Tracy, 1716 § Designs of Ornamental Gates, Lodges, Palisading, and Iron Work of the Royal Parks, half-title, 50 engraved plates, 3 folding, some foxing, contemporary morocco-backed cloth, John Weale, 1841 § Robinson (P.F.) Rural Architecture, or a series of designs for Ornamental Cottages, lithographed plates, light foxing, advertisements tipped in at beginning, original boards, uncut, upper cover detached, lacking backstrip, 1823, all rubbed; and another, architecture, 4to (4)

NO RESERVE Pennant (Thomas) The Literary Life..., first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece, 3 plates, one folding and hand-coloured, library half morocco, 1793 § [Keir (James)] Account of the Life and Writings of Thomas Day, library morocco-backed cloth, 1791 § Essays upon several subjects concerning British Antiquities, third edition, library morocco-backed cloth, Edinburgh, 1763; and 37 others, history and biography, many regarding Birmingham-related figures, v.s. (40)

NO RESERVE Gold & Silver.- Penzer (Norman M.) Paul Storr: The Last of the Goldsmiths, first edition, 1954 § Hartop (C.) The Huguenot Legacy: English Silver 1680-1760, 1996 § Lyons (H.) Christopher Dresser: The People's Designer 1834-1904, Woodbridge, 2005 § Hackenbroch (Yvonne) English and other Silver in the Irwin Untermyer Collection, 1963 § Dmitrieva (O.) & Natalya Abramova. Britannia & Muscovy: English Silver at the Court of the Tsars, New Haven & London, 2006, plates and illustrations, some colour, original cloth or boards, the first with slightly faded spine, the rest with dust-jackets; and c.25 others on silver, 4to & 8vo (c.30)

Pettus (Sir John) Fodinæ regales. Or The history, lavvs and places of the chief mines and mineral works in England, Wales, and the English pale in Ireland. As also of the mint and mony. With a clavis explaining some difficult words relating to mines, &c. , 2 parts in 1, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece by W.Sherwin, 2 engraved plates with letterpress key verso, 2 engraved illustrations of arms of the societies of mines and mineral works, errata f. at end, first sig. working loose, occasional spotting, contemporary calf, rebacked, corners worn, rubbed and scratched, [Hoover 634; Duveen p.468; Goldsmiths' 1930; Kress 1270; Wing P1908], folio, printed by H[enry]. L[loyd]. and R[obert]. B[attersby]. for Thomas Basset at the George in Fleetstreet, near Cliffords Inne, 1670.⁂ Mining in the British Isles by the royalist Deputy Governor of mines and fellow of The Royal Society.

Pettus (Sir John) Fleta minor. The lavvs of art and nature, in knowing, judging, assaying, fining, refining and inlarging the bodies of confin'd metals, 2 parts in 1 vol., first edition, numerous engraved illustrations, woodcut decorative initials, lacking engraved portrait, occasional spotting or staining, engraved bookplate of Arthur Dalrymple, contemporary calf, rebacked, corners worn, rubbed, [Ferguson I, pp.185-186; Wellcome II, p.527; Wing P1906; cf. Hoover 633], folio. printed, for the author, by Thomas Dawks, his Majesty's British printer, at the West-end of Thames-street, 1683.⁂ The first part is the first edition in English of Lazarus Ercker's 1574 treatise on ores. The second part is a dictionary of metallurgical terms compiled by Pettus.

Barba (Albaro Alonso) Traité de l'Art Métalique Auquel on a joint un Mémoire concernant les Mines de France, translated by Charles Hautin de Villars, first edition in French, engraved folding frontispiece and 7 folding plates, 1 plate torn without loss, occasional spotting, contemporary calf, gilt spine in compartments and with red morocco label, spine ends chipped, corners worn, rubbed, [Caillet, 706 'rare et recherché'; Duveen p.43; Ferguson, I, p.70], Paris, Saugrain, 1730 § Schindler (Christian Carl) L'Art d'essayer les Mines et les Métaux, translated by C.J. Geoffroy, half-title, advertisement f. at end, occasional spotting, contemporary mottled calf, gilt spine in compartments, lacking label, corners worn, rubbed, Paris, Jean-Thomas Hérissant, 1759; and 7 others, similar, v.s. (9)

Silver.- Phillips (Philip A.S.) Paul de Lamerie: Citizen and Goldsmith of London...1688-1751, first edition, one of 250 copies, plates, original buckram, gilt, t.e.g., spine slightly faded, otherwise a fine copy, folio, Batsford, 1935.

NO RESERVE Staffordshire.- Pitt (William) A Topographical History of Staffordshire, first edition, large folding hand-coloured map, list of subscribers, later half morocco, spine and joints worn, Newcastle-under-Lyme, 1817 § South Staffordshire Industrial & Fine Arts Exhibition, Molineux House, Wolverhampton, second edition, 4 parts in 1, 2 mounted photographic plates, original roan-backed printed boards, rubbed, Wolverhampton, 1869 § Pearce (Thomas) The History and Directory of Walsall, folding engraved frontispiece, one leaf torn, uncut in original printed boards, rubbed and soiled, rebacked, Birmingham, 1813; and 16 others, Staffordshire, 4to and 8vo (19)

NO RESERVE Plate-Glass-Book (The)...by a Glass-House Clerk, 2 parts in 1, fourth edition, 3 woodcut illustrations, browning to edges of first and last leaves, sig. Gg with several repairs, slightly affecting text, modern morocco-backed cloth, tall 12mo, for the Author, 1764.

Staffordshire.- Plot (Robert) The Natural History of Stafford-shire, first edition, title with engraved vignette, folding map laid down, 37 plates, most double-page and/or folding, one with short tear, a couple repaired, without the rare "Armes omitted" plate as often, 2ff. list of subscribers at end slightly cropped at lower edge with some loss of text, occasional soiling, later library half calf, [Wing P2588], Oxford, Printed at the Theater, 1686.⁂ Subscribers include Robert Boyle, Narcissus Lutt[e]rell and Elias Ashmole.

Woodturning.- Plumier (Charles) L'Art de Tourner ou de faire en perfection toutes sortes d'ouvrages au tour, first edition, engraved additional pictorial title, printed title in red and black and with engraved printer's device, 70 engraved plates (1 folding), occasional spotting, a few small stains, contemporary calf, worn, but holding firm, Lyon, Jean Certe, 1701; and a Paris, 1749 edition of the same, folio (2)

Jewels.- Pouget (Jean Henri Prosper) Traité des Pierres Précieuses et de la maniere de les employer en Parure, first edition, engraved pictorial title by Courtois after J.B.Piauger, 79 plates engraved by Mlle. Raimbeau, woodcut illustrations, title lightly soiled, one or two spots to plates, a few leaves of text with marginal defects neatly repaired, later red morocco, gilt, by Rivière & Son, spines gilt in compartments with floral decoration, g.e., inner gilt dentelles, slight rubbing to upper joint, [Berlin Kat. 869; Cohen-de Ricci 819], 4to, Paris, the author and Taillard, 1762. ⁂ One of the most important 18th century works on precious stones and their use in jewellery, royal and military orders, sword handles etc.

Priestley (Joseph) Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air, 3 vol., vol.1 & 2 second edition, vol.3 first edition, half-title to vol.1, 6 engraved plates, 3 folding, errata f. and 3pp. advertisements to vol.1, vol 2 & 3 4pp; advertisements at end, vol.2 water-stained, occasional spotting in all vol., for J. Johnson, 1775-1777 bound with in vol.1 Priestley (Joseph) Philosophical empiricism: containing Remarks on a Charge of Plagiarism respecting Dr. H-s, interspersed With various Observations relating to different kinds of air, errata f. and 4pp. advertisements at end, Printed for J. Johnson, 1775, contemporary calf, rebacked, corners repaired, covers rubbed and marked, 8vo

Mineralogy.- Cornwall.- Pryce (William) Mineralogia Cornubiensis; a Treatise on Minerals, Mines, and Mining..., first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece by Basire after Clifford, list of subscribers, 7 engraved plates and plans, 3 folding, 2 folding letterpress tables, portrait lightly offset on title, otherwise an excellent clean copy, bookplate of Robert Verney, contemporary sprinked calf, rubbed, rebacked preserving most of old spine, [Duveen p.488; Wellcome IV 445], folio, for the Author, by James Phillips..., 1778.

Engraved Gems.- Raspe (Rudolph Erich) A Descriptive Catalogue of a General Collection of Ancient and Modern Engraved Gems, Cameos as well as Intaglios, 2 vol., first edition, text in English and French, titles in red and black (poorly printed), errata slip, list of subscribers, engraved frontispiece to vol.1, 58 engraved plates in vol.2 by James Tassie, a few torn along platemark, some pencil annotations, occasional foxing and marginal soiling, contemporary green half morocco, gilt, 4to, 1791.⁂ The subscribers include James Boswell and Josiah Wedgwood.

Engraved Gems.- Bartoli (Pietro Santi) Museum Odescalchum, sive Thesaurus Antiquarum Gemmarum, 2 vol., first edition, half-titles, titles in red and black with engraved vignette, engraved decorations, 104 plates, some browning and light foxing, vol.2 broken, contemporary mottled sheep, gilt, small gilt arms to covers, rubbed, slight worming to spines, vol.2 head and foot of spine worn and torn, folio, Rome, 1751-52.⁂ A handsome work on the gemstones collected by Queen Christina of Sweden.

NO RESERVE Poultry.- Réaumur (René Antoine Ferchault de) The Art of Hatching and Bringing Up Domestick Fowls, first edition in English, half-title, 15 engraved folding plates, final f. with note about translation / errata, occasional spotting or mostly light staining, contemporary calf, rebacked, corners worn, rubbed, Printed for C. Davis [and others], 1750 § Lawrence (Richard) An Inquiry into the Structure & Animal Oeconomy of the Horse, 18 engraved plates, some folding, occasional spotting, contemporary half calf, backstrip detaching, corners worn, rubbed and scuffed, 1801; and 3 others, Agriculture, v.s. (5)Saleroom notice: A leaf of the second mentioned (Lawrence) is torn with loss.

NO RESERVE Reports past the Committee at Goldsmiths-hall, first edition, first 3ff. crudely repaired with tape, additional leaves paginated 13-30 at end, not called for by ESTC, modern half calf, [Wing E2232A; ESTC R206360 locates 7 copies in UK and none in N. America], by Richard Cotes, 1649 § Alldridge (J.) The Goldsmith's Repository, half-title repaired at outer margin to verso, folding table, library calf-backed cloth, 1789 § His Majesties Gracious Patent to the Goldsmiths, For Payment and Satisfaction of their Debt, later half calf, joints cracked, rubbed, [Wing C3039], by John Bill, Christopher Barker, Thomas Newcomb and Henry Hills, 1677 § Ward (James) A History of Gold, frontispiece, folding hand-coloured geological map of Victoria and New South Wales slightly frayed at fore-edge, later half morocco, London & Dublin, n.d.; and 71 others on Gold and Silver testing, weights and measures, hall-marking etc., v.s. (75)

NO RESERVE Art and artists.- Reynolds (Sir Joshua) A Discourse delivered to the Students of the Royal Academy, first edition, half-title with ink presentation inscription from the author, repair to one margin, later half morocco, by Thomas Cadell, 1793 § Artist's Assistant (The), in the Study and Practice of Mechanical Sciences, engraved frontispiece, title and 10 engraved plates, most folding, contemporary calf, rebacked, London and Birmingham, for the Author, [?1785] § Arclaid de Montamy (Didier d') Traite des Couleurs pour la Peinture en Email et sur la Porcelaine, half-title, contemporary sheep, rebacked, corners worn, Paris, 1765 § Payne (John) The Art of Painting in Miniature, on Ivory, second edition, dabs of colour paint to margin of one leaf, original upper marbled wrapper with printed paper label mounted and bound in, library half morocco, 1798; and 26 others, art and artists, v.s. (30)

Rogers (Charles) A Collection of Prints in imitation of drawings, to which are annexed lives of their authors with explanatory and critical notes, 2 vol., engraved additional titles by Bartolozzi after G. B. Cipriani, engraved portrait frontispiece after Joshua Reynolds by Ryland, engraved dedication leaf by Ashby, and 112 artworks in 108 plates (2 folding) on 105 leaves, engravings, soft-ground etchings, mezzotints, stipple-engravings, printed in sepia, black and bistre, engraved and woodcut head-pieces and decorations, duplicate plate loosely inserted, first and last few ff. of each vol. mounted on stubs, occasional offsetting, loosely inserted note in a contemporary hand stating "Subscriber's copy, this one the 13th - proofs on india paper", 20th century half calf, surface soiling to covers, folio, Printed by J. Nichols and sold by John Boydell, Benjamin White, and Peter Molini, 1778.⁂ First edition of this fine, elaborate production with works after Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens, Van Dyck, Corregio and others. . Rogers commissioned the leading engravers of his day to reproduce drawings in his own collection, as well as that of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Earl Spencer, Robert Adam and John Barnard, among others.

NO RESERVE Silver.- Roth (H.Ling) Oriental Silverwork Malay and Chinese, first edition, plates, original pictorial cloth blocked in silver, spine ends very slightly frayed otherwise a stunning copy, 1910 § Bonnin (Alfred) Tutenag and Paktong, one of 400 copies, plates, with 5 A.Ls.s. from the author concerning Tutenag, Paktong and Matthew Boulton tipped in at end, original cloth, gilt, uncut, slightly rubbed, rebacked preserving original spine, Oxford, 1924 § John (W.D.) & Katherine Coombes. Paktong, one of 500 copies, original turquoise calf, gilt, t.e.g., spine a little rubbed and faded, Newport, Mon., 1970 § Wilkinson Wynyard R.T.) Indian Colonial Silver: European Silversmiths in India (1790-1860) and their Marks, limited edition, original cloth, dust-jacket, spine torn, 1973, 4to (4)

Cyphers.- Russell (John) A Complete and Useful Book of Cyphers..., second edition, engraved throughout with title and 24 plates, mostly monograms but including one of Charlemagne's crown, soiled, last few plates stained, modern library half morocco, Laurie & Whittle, 1794 § Rhodes (Benjamin) A New Book of Cyphers, engraved throughout with frontispiece, title and 64 plates, light spotting or soiling, Joseph Gwilt's copy with his bookplate, original boards, rubbed, rebacked in calf, T.Bickerton for Theo.Sanders, 1723 § New Book of Cyphers (A), engraved throughout with title and 58 plates light staining, later library half morocco, original wrappers bound in at end, rebacked, Carington Bowles & Robert Sayer, [c.1775]; and 2 others on cyphers, rubbed, oblong 4to & 8vo (5)⁂ Scarce group of works on cyphers or monograms, none of which is listed by ESTC in these editions. Library Hub records one UK copy of the first (V & A) while ESTC lists only the first edition of c.1775 (BL only, and another at Cambridge on Library Hub).Joseph Gwilt (1784-1863), architect.

NO RESERVE Diamond trade in Spain.- Sáenz Díez (Martin Diego) Manual de joyeros, con la teorica y practica, title with engraved vignette, engraved plate, contemporary mottled calf, gilt spine in compartments, rubbed, [Palau 284348], 8vo, Madrid, Antonio de Sancha, 1781.⁂ Rare first edition of the first treatise on the diamond trade in Spain.

Gold & silver.- Sage (Balthazar George) L'art d'essayer l'or et l'argent; Tableau comparé de la coupellation des substances métaliques par le moyen de plomb ou du Bismuth, first edition, half-title, 4 folding engraved plates, some light staining, 20th century half morocco, [Duveen p.523; Ferguson II, pp.312-313; Hoover 707], 8vo, Paris, Press of 'Monsieur', 1780.⁂ Rare. Sage was founder of the École des Mines in Paris.

Economics.- Scaruffi (Gasparo) L'alitinonfo... per fare ragione, et concordanza d'oro, e d'argento; che servirà in universale, collation: *6 A-B6 C2 D-L6, engraved pictorial title by Regius Lombardus, 2 double-page letterpress tables, further tables within text, all within woodcut typographic borders, 4 woodcuts of coins, woodcut historiated initials and head- and tail-pieces, *6 and L6 blank, title closely trimmed, occasional staining, mostly marginal, Reggio Emilia, Hercoliano Bartoli, 1582 bound with [Bisi (Propsero)] Breve instruttione sopra il discorso fatto dal Mag. M. Gasparo Scaruffi, collation: A6 B4, title with small woodcut portrait within typographic border, woodcut historiated initials, water-stained at head, Reggio Emilia, Hercoliano Bartoli, 1582, together 2 works in 1 vol., late 18th century vellum-backed patterned boards, head of spine repaired, rubbed, lightly soiled, folio (288 x 202mm.)⁂ First and only edition of this landmark treatise on money, coinage and currency exchange, with perhaps the earliest call for a single universal currency. Literature: I. Einaudi 5147; Goldsmiths' I, 222; Kress 151; Smith, Rara aritmetica, pp. 370-372; EDIT 16 CNCE 30803 II. EDIT 16 CNCE 6163,

Schimmelpenninck (Mary Anne) Theory on the Classification of Beauty and Deformity, and their correspondence with Physiognomic Expression..., first edition, half-title, 2 folding letterpress tables, 38 engraved plates, most hand-coloured (watercolour wash background), errata leaf at end, light spotting to text, half-title and title slightly frayed at edges (repaired), later library half blue morocco, spine gilt, uncut, a little rubbed, 4to, 1815.

Schlüter (Christoph Andreas) Gründlicher Unterricht von Hütte-Werken...nebst einem vollstäandigem Probier-Buch, first edition, Gothic letter, 58 engraved folding plates, woodcut initials, lacking frontispiece and a privilege f., some creasing to plates, occasional spotting, lightly browned, 19th century half calf, gilt spine in compartments, split to head of spine, corners worn, rubbed, [Duveen p 534; Hoover 725], folio, Braunschweig, Friedrich Wilheim Meyer, 1738.⁂ A wide-margined copy of the 'first edition of the most important mining book of the 18th century. Schluter was an official in British pay at Braunschweig and he dedicates his book to George II. He describes not only German mines, but also those of England, Scotland, Scandinavia and South-Eastern Europe'. (Duveen).

Mining.- Schlüter (Christoph Andreas) De la fonte des mines, des fonderies, &c., 2 vol., first edition in French, half-titles, engraved frontispiece, titles in red and black, 58 folding engraved plates, some spotting, lightly browned, contemporary tree calf, spines with double morocco labels, spines faded and rather worn, corners worn, rubbed and scuffed, [Hoover 724; Ward & Carozzi 1977], 4to, Paris, Widow Pissot [and others], 1750-1753.

Trades and crafts.- Schooper (Hartmann) Panoplia [graece] Omnium illiberalium mechanicarum aut sedentariarum artium genera continens, collation: A8 A-R8 S4, woodcut illustrations by Jost Amman, woodcut printer's device to final vero, some spotting, 20th century limp vellum, soiled, 8vo (148 x 88m.), Frankfurt, [Sigismund Feyerabend], 1568.⁂ First edition with Latin text of this charming collection of woodcuts depicting various trades and crafts, along with verses by Schopper. Includes engravers, papermakers, printers, bookbinders, globemakers, cooks, vintners, bakers, and shoemakers. Literature: Adams S702; VD16 S 3897; cf. Fairfax Murray, German, 31 (edition with German text).

Schreittmann (Cyriacus) Probierbüchlin. Frembde und subtile künst vormals im truck nie gesehen von woge und gewicht, auch von allerhandt proben auff ertz, golt, silber, und andere methall, collation: A-L8 M6, Gothic letter, title in red and black and with a woodcut of weighing scales, woodcuts in text, including furnaces, woodcut initials and head- and tail-pieces, marginal water-staining, lightly browned, occasional spotting, 20th century half calf, spine titled in gilt, 8vo (152 x 92mm.), Frankfurt, Heirs of Christian Egenolff, 1580.⁂ Scarce re-issue of the 1578 first edition of 'a work on the dry assay of gold and silver. The first half of the book is taken up with a description of the construction and use of the balance and weights which is very minute and careful, the second treats of furnaces, muffles and materials, and the last part contains the operations' (Fergusson). Literature: Ferguson II, p.341; Hoover 730.

Heraldry.- Segar (Sir William) Original Institutions of the Princely Orders of Collars, presentation copy from the publisher inscribed on verso of title, hand-coloured engraved vignette title and 7 fine plates, wrinkling of paper, original boards, worn and heavily stained, upper cover detached, Edinburgh, for W.H. Lizars and D. Lizars..., 1833 § Noble (Rev. Mark) A History of the College of Arms, first edition, half-title, 4 engraved portraits, list of subscribers, some foxing and browning, library half morocco, 1805 § Eve (G.W.) Decorative Heraldry, one of 130 copies on Japanese Vellum, plates and illustrations, contemporary half morocco, 1897 § [Catton (Charles)] The English Peerage, 3 vol., engraved frontispieces to vol.1 and 2, vol.3 with 125 engraved plates, occasional foxing, contemporary calf, joints split, spine ends worn, 1790; and 52 others, Heraldry, Seals etc., v.s. (58)

NO RESERVE Waterworks.- Fireworks.- Bate (John) The mysteries of nature and art. In foure severall parts. The first of water works. The second of fire works. The third of drawing, washing, limming, painting, and engraving. The fourth of sundry experiments, second edition, title in red and black and with engraved divisional pictorial border, 1 woodcut plate (?of 2), woodcut illustrations, some full-page, lacking engraved portrait, ?a plate, X2&3 and 2Q3&4, sigs. T and 2D misbound, title torn and laid down with loss to upper and lower corners, lower margin of A4 cut away, 2E2 repaired, affecting a few words, marginal repairs (affecting the odd letter in places), closely trimmed at head, affecting some headlines, some staining or spotting, 20th century half morocco, spine darkened, [STC 1578; Philip B.050.2; cf. Duveen p.51], small 4to, [Printed by [Thomas Harper] for Ralph Mabb], [1635]. sold not subject to return.

NO RESERVE Literature.- Shakespeare (William) Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies, facsimile of the first folio edition of 1623, one of 1000 copies signed by Sidney Lee, who wrote the introduction and census of copies of the original edition, list of subscribers, original reversed calf, leather ties, two broken, spine label faded, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1902; and 9 others, English literature, including facsimiles of the 1532 Chaucer and Shakespeare's Poems & Pericles, v.s. (10)

NO RESERVE Mining.- Shiers (William) A Familiar Discourse or Dialogue concerning the Mine-Adventure, 2 parts in 1, first edition, 2 folding sheets (pp. numbered 1-4) of a reprint from the folio of 'An abstract of the present state of the mines of Bwlchyr-Eskir-Hyr' (Wing A139), lacking sig. a, title rather browned, some staining and spotting, 20th century half red morocco, spine gilt, rubbed, [Goldsmiths' 3641; Kress 2265], 8vo, no printer, 1700. sold not subject to return. ⁂ Rare at auction. The second part is 'The second abstract of the state of the mines of Bwlchyr-Eskir-Hyr'.

Sickingen (Carl Heinrich von) Versuche über die Platina, first edition, engraved vignette title, 2 folding engraved plates, folding letter press table, errata f., title working loose, some spotting or light foxing, contemporary marbled wrappers, spine worn, creased and rubbed, [Hoover 745], 8vo, Mannheim, Hofdruckerei, 1782.⁂ Rare first edition recording Sickingen's experiments with platinum. He was the first to recognize its weldability.

Engineering.- Smeaton (John) Experimental Enquiry concerning the Natural Powers of Wind and Water to turn Mills and other Machines depending on a Circular Motion, first edition in book form, 2 folding letterpress tables, 5 folding engraved plates, light offsetting, engraved bookplate of William Balston, contemporary sprinkled calf, spine gilt, rubbed, upper joint split, I. & J.Taylor, 1794; another edition, second edition, 2 folding tables, 5 folding engraved plates, 1796 bound with Venturi (J.B.) Experimental Enquiries concerning the Principle of the Lateral Communication of Motion in Fluids, first edition in English, 2 folding engraved plates, 1799, together 2 works in 1 vol., foxed, modern half pigskin, uncut § Smeaton (John) Reports..., 2 vol. in 1, engraved plates and plans, foxed, later calf-backed cloth preserving old sheep spine, 1837, 8vo & 4to (3)

Drawing.- Smith (Thomas) The Art of Drawing in its various branches..., second edition, half-title, 17 engraved plates, several aquatint, most hand-coloured or tinted, several pages with colour samples supplied by hand, illustrations and diagrams, 12pp. advertisements at end, some spotting and light offsetting, one wood-engraved plate foxed, later library half morocco, uncut, a little rubbed, covers warped, [Tooley 459, first edition of 1825; cf. Abbey Life 183], 8vo, 1827.

NO RESERVE Electrotyping.- Spencer (Thomas) Instructions for the Multiplication of Works of Art in Metal, By Voltaic Electricity, first edition, diagrams, light finger-soiling to title, 20th century morocco-backed cloth, spine faded, [Honeyman 2888], 8vo, 1840.⁂ Rare, the first work in English on the process of electrotyping which became the dominant process of producing plates for printing for the next 100 years.

Engraved Gems.- Spilsbury (John) A Collection of Fifty Prints from Antique Gems..., first edition, 50 engraved plates, some spotting and browning, inner margin strengthened at beginning and end, contemporary tree calf, gilt, rebacked, corners worn, John Boydell, 1785 § [Sale Catalogue] Catalogue of the Marlborough Gems, plates, ruled in red with prices and buyers' names in ink throughout, original wrappers bound in at end, contemporary half morocco, a little rubbed, Christie, Manson & Woods, 1899 § Tassie (J.) A Catalogue of Impressions in Sulphur of Antique and Modern Gems, from which Pastes are made and sold, half-title, engraved title with vignette, later boards with morocco spine label, rubbed, 1775; and 26 others, antique gems, v.s. (29)

NO RESERVE Mining.- City of London Corporations.- S[tringer] (M[oses]) Opera mineralia explicata: or, The mineral kingdom, within the dominions of Great Britain, display'd. Being a compleat history of the antient corporations of the city of London, of and for the mines and minerals and the battery works, first edition, woodcut arms of the Society of the Mineral and Battery Works, some spotting or foxing, lightly browned, 20th century red crushed morocco, gilt, [Hoover 768; Goldsmiths' 4990], 8vo, Printed for Jonas Brown at the Black Swan without Temple-Bar, [1713].

Chemistry.- Thibaut (Pierre) The Art of Chymistry, as it is now practised, second English edition, woodcut initials and head-pieces, imprimatur f. trimmed and laid down onto pastedown, title a little creased and soiled and with bookplate to verso, H4 with some chipping and loss to margin, affecting catchword, occasional scattered spotting or light soiling, later half roan, rebacked, [Wing T892; cf. Duveen p.576 (first edition)], 8vo, by John Starkey, at the Miter near Temple-Bar in Fleetstreet, 1675.⁂ Rare, we can only trace one other copy of this edition at auction and only a handful of copies of the first edition. Provenance: John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute (1713-1792, bookplate).

Economics.- Tooke (Thomas) Thoughts and Details of the High and Low Prices of the Thirty Years from 1793 to 1822, second edition, folding table, [Goldsmiths' 24119; Kress C1355], library half morocco, 1824 § Del Mar (Alexander) Money and Civilization, first edition, original cloth, 1886 § Watherston (J.H.) A Letter to...W.E.Gladstone...on the Trial of the Pix, in Her Majesty's Mint, half morocco, 1861 § Alison (Archibald) England in 1815 and 1845: or, A Sufficient and a Contracted Currency, first edition, original cloth, Edinburgh & London, 1845; and 15 others, economics, mostly 19th century, 4to and 8vo (19)

Numismatics.- Coins.- Vaughan (Rice) A discourse of coin and coinage: the first invention, use, matter, forms, proportions and differences, ancient & modern: with the advantages and disadvantages of the rise or fall thereof, in our own or neighbouring nations: and the reasons, first and only edition, woodcut head-pieces and decorative initial, preliminaries lightly browned, trimmed at head, affecting some headlines, occasional spotting, later speckled calf, rebacked, [Wing V131; Goldsmiths 2131; Kress 1394], 12mo, printed by Th. Dawks, for Th. Basset, at the George, near Cliffords-Inn, in Fleet-street, 1675.⁂ 'The first historical monograph in English on money' (Palgrave). The lawyer Rice Vaughan held various public offices in Wales before being imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1665 for two years. This work was published posthumously by Henry Vaughan ('the Silurist', 1621-1695), poet and writer of devotional prose.

Venner (Tobias) The Baths of Bathe, first edition, some soiling, ex-British Museum duplicate with stamps to title verso and ink inscription on title, [STC 24641], Printed by Felix Kyngston for Richard Moore, 1628; bound with [Plattes (Gabriel)] A Discovery of Subterraneall Treasure, viz. Of all manner of Mines and Mineralls, from the Gold to the Coale, first edition, lacking initial blank leaf, title holed with loss of text to recto and verso, corner of G3 defective just touching a few letters of text, last few leaves slightly wormed affecting text, soiling, [STC 20000; Sabin 63360], by J. Okes, for Jasper Empery, 1639, together 2 works in 1, later calf, worn, rebacked, 4to⁂ Two rare works. The first has not appeared at auction since 1955; the second is one of the earliest books in English on mining and metallurgy and "includes interesting notices of the gold and silver mines in Peru, New England, Virginia, the Bermudas, and other parts of America." (Sabin).

NO RESERVE Numismatics.- Vertue (George) Medals, Coins, Great-Seals, Impressions, from the Elaborate Works of Thomas Simon, chief Engraver of the Mint, to K. Charles the 1st, first edition, engraved title and 37 plates, engraved decorations, some light foxing, later aubergine morocco, gilt, by J. Clarke, spine faded, g.e., 4to, 1753.⁂ According to a pencil inscription, this is "The Duke of Hamilton's copy from the Beckford Library". Later bookplate of James Rouse.

Thomas Love Peacock's copy.- Vico (Enea) Le imagini delle donne auguste intagliate in istampa di rame... libro primo, first edition, Thomas Love Peacock's copy, second issue (with Roman numerals to illustrations), collation: a-c B-Z Aa-Dd4, fine engraved pictorial title and full-page illustrations, woodcut historiated initials, final f. with woodcut printer's device verso, otherwise blank, some spotting or staining, 17th century morocco, gilt, sympathetically rebacked, central arms partially erased, corners worn, rubbed, Venice, Enea Vico & Vincenzo Valgrisi, 1557; and another by the same, small 4to (mentioned 221 x 157mm.) (2)⁂ Provenance: 'This beautiful volume was purchased by me at the sale of the library of T. L. Peacock Esq., author of "Headlong Hall", in June 1866.' (ink inscription to front pastedown). Literature: Adams V633; Mortimer, Italian, 532; EDIT 16 CNCE 54071.

Medicine.- Beddoes (Thomas) & James Watt. Considerations on the Medicinal Use, and on the Production of Factitious Airs, Parts I-III only (of 5), together 2 works in 1 vol., second edition of Parts I-II, first edition of Part III, Parts I & II with 5 folding engraved plates, Part III with 3 engraved plates, one folding, and 4 folding letterpress tables, [Wellcome II p.129], Bristol, Bulgin & Rosser for J.Johnson, 1795 bound with Menzies (Robert) A Dissertation on Respiration...with notes by Charles Sugrue, first edition, initial blank, engraved plate, errata/advertisement leaf at end, Edinburgh, 1796 and Smyth (James Carmichael) An Account of the Experiment made at the desire of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, on board the Union Hospital ship, to determine the effect of the Nitrous Acid in destroying Contagion..., first edition, presentation copy from the author to Dr Gregory inscribed at head of title, folding engraved plan of ship, J.Johnson, 1796, together 4 works in 1 vol., the first bound after the second mentioned, occasional spotting or offsetting, contemporary tree calf, rebacked, rubbed, split to upper joint, 8vo⁂ Beddoes specialised in tuberculosis and experimented with patients inhaling gases or "factitious airs". Watt became interested due to his invalid son and developed a form of apparatus for enabling such treatment. The last item concerns a treatment for "jail fever" or typhoid.

NO RESERVE Antiquities.- Medals.- Vico (Enea) Discorsi... sopra le medaglie de gli antichi, collation: *4 A-P4, title with large woodcut printer's device, fine engraved portrait of Cosimo de Medici to verso of *2, woodcut head- and tail-pieces and historiated initials, final f. with woodcut printer's device verso otherwise blank, some spotting or light foxing, contemporary limp vellum, lacking ties, soiled, small 4to (198 x 154mm.), Venice, Gabriel Giolito de' Ferrari, 1558.⁂ Literature: Adams V636; EDIT 16 CNCE 26275; cf. Mortimer, Italian, 531 (first edition of 1555).

NO RESERVE Views of the Ruins of the Principal Houses destroyed during the Riots at Birmingham, first edition, 8 aquatint plates by William Ellis after P.H. Witton, accompanying text leaves printed in double column in English and French, light offsetting, contemporary sheep-backed marbled boards, rubbed, rebacked, [Abbey, Scenery 48], oblong 4to, J. Johnson, 1792.⁂ A visual record of the buildings, mostly country houses in the environs of Birmingham, which were attacked during the "Priestley Riots" which took place between 14th and 17th July, 1791. Most were burnt and many of the contents looted or destroyed - the targets being properties belonging to religious dissenters or those associated with them, such as members of the Lunar Society - Joseph Priestley himself, Baskerville House (the home of John Ryland), William Hutton and others.

Economics.- Violet (Thomas) A True Narrative of Som [sic] Remarkable Proceedings Concerning the Ships Samson, Salvadore and George, and severall other Prize-ships, depending in the Admiralty; humbly presented to the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, and Councell of State, and the Councell of Officers of his Excellency the Lord Generall..., first edition, title with engraved armorial device, folding table, woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces, title trimmed at head and foot affecting first two words of title and imprint, lacking d2 (blank) and final 2ff. (author's postscript), ink library stamps of the Patent Office Library, browning and occasional staining (heavier to title), 19th century half calf, Patent Office library blindstamp to upper cover, [Goldsmith 1308; Kress 899; Wing V593], William Du-Gard, 1653; An Appeal to Caesar: wherin Gold and Silver is Proved to be the Kings Majestie's Royal Commodity, first edition, woodcut initials, occasional light spotting, contemporary calf, rebacked, spine ends and corners chipped and bumped, rubbed, [Goldsmiths 1524; Kress 1043; Wing V580], 1660, small folio & 4to (2)⁂ Two works by Violet (1634-1662, goldsmith, alderman and sometime spy), both concerning his views on the gold and silver trades, especially the illegal exportation of the metals (Violet was found guilty of illegally exporting gold and silver in 1634, for which he obtained a pardon by assisting in the apprehension of like miscreants).

Economics.- Violet (Thomas) Proposals humbly presented to his Highness Oliver Lord Protector ... for the calling to a True and Just Accompt all Committee-men... Excise and Custom-commissioners ... and all Other Persons that have been entrusted with the Publick Revenue, first edition, engraved allegorical frontispiece, woodcut initials and head-pieces, occasional light marginal dampstaining, a few ff. frayed at margins, first H2 with small hole to text, affecting 1 letter, 18th century calf, rubbed and scuffed, spine chipped at head, [Goldsmiths' 1378; Kress 948; Wing V-585], small folio, 1656.