40 leaves (the final blank). Small folio (332 x 210 mm.), orig. paste-paper boards (spine & extremities somewhat worn), uncut. [Clausthal?: ca. 1815].

A fine and legible manuscript instructional manual on techniques and problems of mine surveying. The text is divided into five chapters: “Von der Vorbereitung zum Markscheiden” (“On preparations for measuring the area in which mining may be carried out”), “Von Bennenung der Gänge und Klüfte” (“On the naming of seams and fissures”), “Vom Observiren” (“On Observations”), “Vom Vermaß oder Verbestimmung eines Grubenfelds” (“On measuring and defining a mining claim”), and “Von Wasserfällen, Wasserleitungen und Tiefbau” (“On waterfalls, water conduits and underground mining”)... More about Manuscript on paper on mine surveying, with 12 large & fine folding manuscript plates,...

Title within double-ruled border. xi, 283, [15] pp., one leaf of ads. Small 8vo, later sheep (neatly rebacked, some faint browning), red morocco lettering piece on spine. “In the Savoy” [London]: printed by Eliz. Nutt and R. Gosling, 1720.

First edition and very scarce on the market. Jacob (1686-1744), legal and literary author (including much pornography), is best known for The Country Gentleman’s Vade Mecum (1717). After serving an apprenticeship to the law, he became Secretary to the Hon. W. Blathwayt, a celebrated courtier in the reign of William and Mary. Jacob, a land-owner with a keen interest in farming, was prompted to... More about The Land Purchaser's Companion: and the Laws relating to Tenants and Tenures...To which are...

Woodcut printer’s device on title. 19 leaves, one blank leaf. Small folio, later 18th-century half-sheep & speckled boards, spine gilt. Eisleben: A. Koch, 1674.

A most interesting volume containing a printed edition of mining laws of 1674 and three manuscript copies of mining laws of the 16th century, assembled by and bound for August Ferdinand, Graf von Veltheim (1741-1801). He was appointed in 1790 by Empress Catherine of Russia as general inspector of mines and saltworks in the western regions of the Russian empire. Geology and mining were favorite subjects and at his home in Harbke, he formed an important library along... More about Neue Berg-Ordnung des Eisslebisch- und Mansfeldischen Bergwercks.

Finely engraved frontis. port., two engraved plates, & two engravings in the text. Title within ruled borders. 7 p.l., 108, [7] pp. Small folio, cont. blind-ruled calf (neat repairs to ends of spine, faint dampstaining towards end), spine ruled in gilt, red morocco label on spine. London: Printed by H.L. & R.B. for T. Basset, 1670.

First edition and a fine and large copy of the standard 17th-century English work on mining, valuable for giving an account of the state of mining in England during the period. The glossary at the end is the first attempt in English at a dictionary of mining... More about Fodinae Regales. Or the History, Laws and Places of the Chief Mines and Mineral Works in...

Folding printed table in Vol. I. (with a short tear). 9 p.l., iv, [17]-364 pp.; 4 p.l., [5]-368 pp. Two vols. 8vo, cont. sheep (rubbed, occasional browning), spines gilt, red leather lettering pieces on spines. Philadelphia: Printed for the Author, 1785.

First American edition of the most substantial agricultural text yet published in the United States; it was published during Varlo’s unsuccessful sojourn in America (see below). Varlo (ca. 1725-ca. 1795), was an agriculturist and inventor of a number of agricultural machines. The present book was first published in York in 1770.

“In 1784, while he was living in Sloane Square, in London, Varlo became involved in a somewhat ludicrous episode. He had bought papers and charters supposedly granted by Charles I to Sir Edward Plowden, entitling him to colonize New Albion (later New Jersey) in America. This attempt at colonization had failed and in Charles II’s reign the charter was superseded by a new grant to the duke of York. Armed with his papers (which were probably forgeries), Varlo went out to the American colonies in 1784 hoping to be recognized as governor of the province of New Jersey and to take over one-third of the territory. The case was tried before the colonial courts, but Varlo’s claim was dismissed…Before returning to England he travelled for a year through New England, Maryland, and Virginia (where he met George Washington).”–ODNB. More about A New System of Husbandry. From many years Experience, with Tables shewing the Expence and...