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Elements of the Art of Assaying Metals, 1741 [181342]

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Elements of the Art of Assaying Metals, 1741  [181342]
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"Elements of the Art of Assaying Metals. In Two Parts. The First containing The Theory, The Second The Practice of the said Art. The Whole Deduced from the true Properties and nature of Fossils; confirmed by the most accurate and unquestionable Experiments, explained in a natural Order, and with the utmost Clearness." "By John Andrew Cramer, M.D. Translated from the Latin. Illustrated with Copper Plates. To which are added, Several Notes and Observations not in the Original, particularly Useful to the English Reader. With an Appendix containing a List of the chief Authors that have been published in English upon Minerals and Metals." 1741. First edition in English. With 6 folding engraved plates of laboratory apparatus. In the list of authors on minerals and metals, Cramer is uncomplimentary in his comments on John Lawrence's book "A New System of Agriculture", 1726: "But he seems to write like one who never black'd his Fingers or fing'd his Beard in metallick Operations." 470 pp., 5" x 8". Front and back boards detached, degradation to cover, spine, corners and pages, especially title page. Foxing and staining. X-Library. As is.
Cramer (1710-77), was considered the best assayer of his time, according to Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie. He was appointed director of the Brunswick Mining and Metallurgy Administration in the Harz mountains, Germany. In 1738-39 he traveled throughout England in order to learn more about assaying, and gave lectures in London.
Bookplate: Edgar Fahs Smith Memorial Collection, Univ. of Penn. Smith was an American scientist who served as provost of the university from 1911 to 1920, was deeply involved in the American Chemical Society, and was awarded the Priestley Medal in 1926.