Leupold, Jacob [and Joachim Ernst Scheffler] | A virtually complete set of Leupold’s important works on mechanics and engineering

Leupold, Jacob [and Joachim Ernst Scheffler]

Theatrum machinaruvm. Leipzig: Printed by Christoph Zunkel and Sold by the Author and J. F. Gleditschens (vols. 1-6); and by the Author and B. C. Breitkopf, 1724-39

7 volumes bound in 8, folio (387 x 244 mm). 427 plates on 425 leaves (some folding); some even browning (mostly minor). Near-contemporary marbled Danish calf, arms of Moltke on all covers (see below), red edges; a few endbands rubbed.

A virtually complete set of Leupold’s important works on mechanics and engineering. This uniformly bound set contains the first editions of Leupold's Theatrum Machinarum Hydrotechnicarum (1724), Theatrum machinarum hydrotechnicarum Tomus I [-II] (1724), Theatrum machinarum generale (1724), Theatrum machinarium, oder, Schau-Platz der Heb-Zeuge (1725), Theatrum arithmetico-geometricum (1727); the second edition of the Theatrum staticum universale: pars I[-IV] (1726); and the first edition of Joachim Ernst Scheffler's Theatri machinarum supplementum: das ist: Zufas zum Schau-Platz der Maschinen und Instrumenten... (1739) one of the first encyclopedias of technology, and the most complete and the most extensively illustrated work on mechanical engineering published to date, with detailed discussions of hydraulic engineering, weights and measures, the art of gold and silver assaying and analysis, mathematical instruments and scientific devices such as the barometer, thermometer, and Leupold's own, ingenious calculating machine (plate IX in the Theatrum arithmetico-geometricum), and more.

Leupold was director of mines to the Elector of Saxony and the author of a number of works on mechanics and engineering. Each volume of his Theatrum machinarum is complete in itself. The volumes are typically found separately issued, with Ferguson stating that he had never seen a complete set. The present set is remarkably complete: only the Theatrum pontificiale (Leipzig, 1726) and the Theatrum machinarum molarium (Leipzig, 1735) are not present. In the above copy the Theatrum staticum universale: pars I[-IV] (1726) is a page-for-page reprint of the first edition (published earlier that year), identifiable by the imprint statement: "Zu finden" instead of "Zufinden" on title (the "Corrigenda" on the last page are repeated in full, even though a few of the corrections called for are incorporated in the text).

With fine provenance: The present set bears the large armorial device of the cadet branch of Moltke on all covers. Count Adam Gottlob Moltke (1709-1792), Danish minister and confidant of Frederick V, was also Lord Chamberlain of the Royal Household. According to Reitstap, Armorial general, Moltke was ennobled as count in 1750; the present bindings would therefore post-date that time.

REFERENCES

Ferguson Bibliography of the History of Technology, pp. 45-46; Wolf History of Science in the Eighteenth Century, pp. 657-658; not in Roberts & Trent

PROVENANCE

Count Adam Gottlob Moltke (supralibros) — Joseph A. Freilich (sold Sotheby’s New York, 10 January 2001, lot 353)