De Re Metalica; Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 with Biographical Introduction, Annotations and Appendices upon the Development of Mining Methods, Metallurgical Processes, Geology, Mineralogy & Mining Law from the earliest times to the 16th Century.

Full vellum binding, rather browned, some mild edge wear, small chip to upper band at spine. Light scattered foxing, heavier at ends; With woodcuts throughout; Folio 13" - 23" tall; (4,xxii,640) pages; Apparently printed in an edition of 3000 copies, this copy numbered 766 at head of title page. De Re Metallica (Latin for On the Nature of Metals) is a seminal textbook on Renaissance mining, refining, and smelting techniques, originally published in 1556. This meticulous translation took five years to complete.