Page 2 - Catálogo #78 2020 Bostn Virtual Book Fair

Librería José Porrúa Turanzas 2020 Boston Virtual Book Fair

FIRST SYSTEMATIC TREATISE ON MINING AND METALLURGY
1. AGRICOLA, Georgius. De re metallica, libri XII: quibus Officia, Instrumenta, Machi-
nae, ac omnia denique ad Metallicam spectantia, non modo luculentissimè describuntur
... Eiusdem De animantibus subterraneis Liber. Basel, Hieronymus Froben and Nicolaus
Bischoff, 1556. Folio 325x219mm. (12¾x8½”). Printer’s device on title-page and last
page, 2 large plates (one folding) and nearly 300 woodcuts in the text, many full-page.
Eighteenth century calf. 45,000 € / US$ $52,000

First edition of one of the first technological books of modern times. “The first systematic
treatise on mining and metallurgy... dealing with everything connected with the mining
industry and metallurgical processes, including administration, prospecting, the duties
of officials and companies, and the manufacture of glass, sulphur and alum” (PMM). The
twelfth book deals with the production and refining of crude oil and bitumen.
Very good copy, large and clean.
References: Printin and the Mind of Man (PMM) 79

— 2 — — 3 —