Details
PLATTES, Gabriel (c.1600-1644). A Discovery of Subterraneall Treasure, viz. of all manner of Mines and Mineralls, from the Gold to the Coale. London: I. Okes for Jasper Emery, 1639. [Bound after:] SCRIBONIUS, Wilhelm Adolf (fl. 1576-1583). Naturall Philosophy: or, A Description of the World, and of the severall Creatures therein contained, translated and abridged by Daniel Widdowes. London: Thomas Cotes for Benjamin Allen, 1631.
2 works in one volume, 4° (184 x 138mm). Woodcut ornaments. (Light dampstaining and browning, Plattes without initial blank.) Mid-19th-century tree calf by J. Mackenzie, red edges (extremities a little rubbed, minor cracking at head of spine). Provenance: 'G. Grey' (18th-century title inscription).
FIRST EDITION of Plattes' Discovery. It gave directions for 'finding' metals and minerals, for 'melting, refining and essaying them', and not only how to test gold but how to make it. Unfortunately, this was at greater cost than its value and of so little benefit to its discoverer that Plattes is 'said to have dropped down dead in the London streets for want of food' (Lowndes). The Discovery also included some 'interesting notices of the gold and silver mines in Peru, New England, Virginia, the Bermudas, and other parts of America' (Sabin). Here bound with the second edition of Daniel Widdowes's translation of Scribonius' Rerum Naturalium doctrina methodica (1583). Plattes: Lowndes III, p. 1880; Sabin 63360; STC 2000. Scribonius: Lowndes IV, 2914; STC 22112.5.
2 works in one volume, 4° (184 x 138mm). Woodcut ornaments. (Light dampstaining and browning, Plattes without initial blank.) Mid-19th-century tree calf by J. Mackenzie, red edges (extremities a little rubbed, minor cracking at head of spine). Provenance: 'G. Grey' (18th-century title inscription).
FIRST EDITION of Plattes' Discovery. It gave directions for 'finding' metals and minerals, for 'melting, refining and essaying them', and not only how to test gold but how to make it. Unfortunately, this was at greater cost than its value and of so little benefit to its discoverer that Plattes is 'said to have dropped down dead in the London streets for want of food' (Lowndes). The Discovery also included some 'interesting notices of the gold and silver mines in Peru, New England, Virginia, the Bermudas, and other parts of America' (Sabin). Here bound with the second edition of Daniel Widdowes's translation of Scribonius' Rerum Naturalium doctrina methodica (1583). Plattes: Lowndes III, p. 1880; Sabin 63360; STC 2000. Scribonius: Lowndes IV, 2914; STC 22112.5.
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