Use of Madder

[MARITI, Giovanni].

Della Robbia. Sua Coltivazione e suoi Usi.

Engraved title-page & five engraved plates. xvi, 294 pp. 8vo, cont. vellum over boards, spine lettered in gilt. [Florence: G. Cambiagi], 1776.

First edition of this scarce treatise on the cultivation, processing and use of madder (rubia tinctorum), a herbaceous climbing plant with small yellow flowers, the root of which is used medically, and — more importantly — as the primary source of dye (usually crimson). Madder was the principal source of various brilliant red pigments until artificial production of alizirin, the pigment chemical in madder, by Graebe and Liebermann in 1868.

The finely engraved plates depict the plant and its processing for red dyes.

Mariti (1736-1806), was the author of several works, notably travel books on Cyprus, Syria, Palestine, Monaco and the Holy Land.

Fine copy with half-title. The work was dedicated to Leopold I, Grand Duke of Tuscany, whose arms appear on the engraved title-page. With the bookplate of Francesco Maria Berio (1765-1820), marchese di Salza, who was a leading intellectual figure in Naples and wrote several libretti for Gioacchino Rossini. Salza formed a large and important library, sold upon his death to William Ward (1750-1823), 3rd Viscount Dudley and Ward. With Viscount Dudley and Ward’s bookplate on rear paste-down. Faint stamp of the Rothamsted Experimental Station on front paste-down.

❧ Ron, Bibliotheca Tinctoria, 712.

Price: $2,250.00

Item ID: 6512