Agricola, Georgius

folio (317 x 220mm.), woodcut printer's device on title-page and final verso, woodcut initials and illustrations, 2 folding woodcut plates, seventeenth-century calf, double gilt fillet border, spine gilt in compartments with red morocco lettering-piece, neat paper repairs to title-page (not affecting text), t5 with repaired tear (affecting text but without loss), calf delaminating, extremities repaired, rebacked retaining original spine

IA 101.559; Norman 20; PMM 79; VD16 A933

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

First edition of the first systematic treatise on mining and metallurgy. Agricola (1490-1555) studied theology and medicine before settling in the Bohemian mining town of Joachimsthal as a physician, where he learned about metallurgy. He corresponded with Erasmus regarding his writings and it is likely to have been through Erasmus that Agricola's works were published by Froben; indeed, his first publication of 1530 was edited by Erasmus. The fine series of woodcuts are thought to be by Hans Rudolf Manuel Deutsch and were used for over a hundred years in subsequent editions.