Trebra, Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich von | The French translation of Trebra’s celebrated geological observations

Trebra, Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich von

Observations de M. de Trébra, sur l’intérieur des montagnes, précédées d’un Plan d’une histoire générale de la Minéralogie par M. de Veltheim; avec un discours préliminaire et des notes de M. le Baron de Dietrich. Paris: De l’Imprimerie de Monsieur, 1787

Folio (423 x 262 mm; uncut). Title with engraved royal arms, hand-colored engraved in-text illustrations, 10 leaves of plates, mostly handcolored, handcolored map of the Harz Mountains, 7 tables, errata on pp. [309]–[310], map and scattered leaves printed on blue paper; intermittent spotting and dampstaining. Half calf over boards; staining.

First French edition, a substantial translation of Trebra’s major geological writings, incorporating his Erfahrungen vom Innern der Gebirge (Dessau & Leipzig, 1785) together with August von Veltheim’s Grundriss der Mineralogie (Braunschweig, 1781). Trebra’s account, based on extensive mining experience in the Harz Mountains, was among the most important contemporary descriptions of subterranean formations, ore bodies, and geological structure.

The French edition was issued at Trebra’s own expense, initially distributed privately among his circle of friends and colleagues before being released for public sale. The plates, including hand-colored text etchings, hand-colored plates, and a large folding map of the Harz, were engraved by G. M. Kraus. Baron de Dietrich, commissioner of the royal mining works in France, supplied the preliminary discourse and extensive notes.

REFERENCES

Schuh 4659; Ward & Carozzi, Geology Emerging (1984), 2198