Elements of the art of assaying metals in two parts.
London: Tho. Woodward, 1741. 8vo. xxii, 470 (i.e., 478), [8] pp., including Table of the Processes, Appendix of Authors, and index. FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH. With 6 folding engraved plates of laboratory apparatus. Contemporary calf, rebacked; interior excellent. A beautiful copy. Item #14552
First edition in English, greatly enlarged from the first edition printed in Latin in 1739. One of the first of it’s kind, this treatise contains the entire art of theoretical and practical assaying. The illustrations and descriptions of instruments and apparatus are considered exceptionally accurate. In addition, Cramer here first describes the use of the blowpipe in smelting small amounts of substances and in analyzing them. Of particular interest is the prefixed list of the chief English authors who have written on minerals and metals. The preface includes references to Agricola, Ercker and Stahl.
Cramer (1710-77), according to Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie and to Partington, was the best assayer of his time, and is “justly reckoned among the best writers on the subject” (Baumer). He was appointed director of the Brunswick Mining and Metallurgy Administration in the Harz mountains. In 1738-39 he traveled throughout England in order to learn more about assaying, and gave lectures in London.
Price: $1,250.00