Della Fratta et Montalbano, Marco Antonio | Pratica minerale, first edition

Della Fratta et Montalbano, Marco Antonio

Pratica minerale. Bologna: Per li Manolessi, 1678

2 parts in one volume, 4to (206 x 155 mm). Engraved additional title with border showing mining and smelting techniques, large woodcut device of the arms of the dedicatee Ranuccio Farnese, Duke of Parma, to title, 29 engraved illustrations, the majority full-page; a few leaves browned, X3 restored at lower outer corner not affecting text, text block cracked in a few places, leaf A1 mispaginated, a few stray stains, some manuscript annotations, some plates bleeding through leaves. Contemporary imitation vellum-backed boards, original green printed paper label; label chipped, extremities slightly rubbed.

First edition with fine engravings depicting chemical, metallurgical, and mining procedures.

In Practica minerale, Della Fratta et Montalbano supported Agricola’s view that metals and ores did not appear out of nowhere at the moment of Earth’s creation, which was “an important step in the correct understanding of the origin of ore deposits” (Hoover). The unsigned plates "are of very unusual quality ... No reference to this work can be found in the usual authorities" (Duveen). 

The volume concludes with the section "Catascopia minerale ouero esploratione o'modo di far saggio d'ogni miniera metalica trattato del Marchese Marco della Fratta Montalbano."

REFERENCES

Duveen p. 229; Hoover 322

PROVENANCE

C.E. Rappaport, Libri Rari, Roma (bookseller’s ticket to upper pastedown) — Joseph A. Freilich (bookplate to upper pastedown; Sotheby’s New York, 10 January 2001, lot 193)