Biringucci, Vannoccio | First edition of Pirotechnia, the Norman copy

Biringucci, Vannoccio

De La Pirotechnia. Libri X… Venice: Venturino Rossinello for Curtio Navo and brothers, 1540

4to (201 x 139 mm). Title page with a broad woodcut border, woodcut printer’s device to the verso of the title, woodcut illustrations and historiated initials in text; some light soiling and spotting, title frayed along the edges just touching the border, with a lightly abraded spot in the border, a closed marginal tear at bottom edge of leaf E5, a few instances of minor worming in the margins, dampstaining near the end of the text, with some early manuscript annotations. Eighteenth-century German half vellum, patterned paste-paper boards, manuscript title to spine; recased and rebacked, preserving the original spine, wear along edges, a diagonal crack in the front board about an inch in from the upper corner. In a custom yellow cloth clamshell case, with a gilt morocco spine label.

First edition of Biringucci’s early book on metallurgy, which was also a practical text on fireworks—the first comprehensive book written on the subject.

Though published posthumously, it quickly became a classic, with seven editions published by 1678, including two in French. Throughout his career, the author worked as a mine and forge operator, the director of the Sienese Mint, a cannon master, a fortification builder, the director of construction at the Duomo, and the head of the papal foundry and munitions works. “Virtually all of Biringuccio’s descriptions are original, based upon first-hand information, garnered from his various employments” (Norman, I, p. 88).

“This book is the first printed treatise covering the whole field of metallurgy, but it is also full of mineralogy, applied chemistry, gunpowder manufacture, military arts, typecasting and fireworks information… Biringucci is not prone to mystical speculation in his descriptions, and consequently the book is one of the most remarkable records of sixteenth century technology… For its account of the methods of casting medallions, statues, and bells, the Pirotechnia is important in art history. It also contains an important account of typecasting. In chemistry Biringucci includes the first account of silver amalgamation, and early descriptions of antimony, cobalt blue and manganese" (Schuh, 2007 edition, vol. I, pp. 192-193).

REFERENCES

Norman, 238 (this copy); Schuh (2007), I, 590; Duveen, p. 79; Adams, B-2080; Dibner, Heralds, 38; Partington II, pp. 32-37; Mortimer (Italian) 66

PROVENANCE

E. N. da C. Endrade, physicist and member of the Royal Society (bookplate)— Haskell F. Norman (bookplate; Christie's New York, 18 March 2001, lot 44)