Barba, Alvaro Alonso | The first book of the art of metalls

Barba, Alvaro Alonso

[Arte de los metales]. The first book of the art of metalls, in which is declared the manner of their generation and the concomitants of them… Translated into English [by the Earl of Sandwich] in the year 1669 (The second book... wherein is taught the common way of refining silver by quicksilver, [etc.]). London: S. Mearne, 1670

Two parts in one volume, 8vo (160 x 96 mm). One engraved plate. 18^th-century mottled calf; rebacked, worn.

The Earl of Sandwich has been identified as the translator (added in ink on title-page). In another issue of the work, the first part has a general title-page in which Sandwich is named: “Translated in the year, 1669. By the R.H. Edward Earl of Sandwich.” The first Earl of Sandwich (Edward Montagu, 1625-1672), who was killed in a sea battle with the Dutch, was fluent in Spanish, which he had learned when sent in 1665 as Ambassador to Spain. There were several English editions.

REFERENCES

Wing B-678 and B-680; Norman 115; Palau 23630; Sabin 3254; Wellcome II, 96

PROVENANCE

Earls of Macclesfield (blindstamp on title; Sotheby’s London, 25 October 2005, “The Library of the Earls of Macclesfield removed from Shirburn Castle, Part Six: Science P–Z plus Addenda,” lot 2185, the binding subsequently refurbished)