De La Pirotechnia. Libri X. Dove Ampiamente si tratta non solo di ogni sorte & diversita di Miniere, ma anchora quanto si ricerca intorno à la prattica di quelle cose di quel che si appartiene à l'arte de la fusione over gitto de me talli come d'ogni altra cosa simile à questa. Composti per il. S. Vanoccio Biringuccio Sennese.
(in Venetia): Con Privilegio Apostolico & de la Cesarea Maesta & del Illustriss. Senato Veneto. (Per Curtio Navò Et Fratelli, Al Segno Del Lion.), M D XL.
Physical Description
[8], 168 leaves: illus.; 210 mm. (Octavo.)
Contents
[T.p., dedic.] - Qui Incomincia La Tavola Di Questo Volume ... - [Text with illus.]; [colophon].
Responsibility Note
No cut is signed.
The printer is named in the colophon: 'Stampata in Venetia per Venturino Roffinello. Ad instantia di Curtio Navo. & Fratelli. Del M.CCCCC.XL.'
The work is dedicated by Curtio Navo to Bernardino Di Moncelesi Da Salo.
References
University of Cambridge, Catalogue Of Books Printed On The Continent Of Europe, 1501-1600, ed. H.M. Adams (1967), v.I, B2080.
F.G. Bewer, The De La Pirotechnia of Vannoccio Biringucci (1480-1537) and bronze sculpture [dissertation, Univy. of London, Warburg Inst.] (1985); V. Biringucci, Pirotechnia, tr. C.S. Smith and M.T. Gnudi (1943 repr.1959 and 1990); E. Romagnoli, Biografia cronologica de' bellartisti senesi 1200-1800 (1835, rev. 1976), p.289-342.
Summary Note
The publishers' name is not given on the title-page, but that page carries a border which includes the word 'Venetia' and the lion rampant which was the device of Curtio Navo e Fratelli - who are named on the t.p. verso below the dedication ('Per Curtio Navò Et Fratelli, Al Segno Del Lion') and again in the colophon ('Stampata in Venetia per Venturino Rossinello. Ad instantia di Curtio Navo. & Fratelli. Del M.CCCCC.XL.').
The work describes ores and their location, casting and fusing of metals, mining, artillery and ammunition. It is copiously illustrated with woodcuts; and also decorated with woodcut initials and a wide woodcut border on the title-page.
Reproductions
A reprint was published in 1977 (Milan: Polifilo). The work was microfilmed in 1973 (Zug: Interdocumentation Company) and 1994 (London: British Library).
Copy Note
The title-page and first page of book I are inscribed in ink, 'guido sann[illegible]'. There are occasional, sometimes extensive, Italian annotations in ink throughout. An endpaper carries an Italian poem in ink in the same hand; another endpaper carries inscriptions in ink in a different hand. Purchased for RA Library in 1871 (see 'Library Report for the Year 1871', RA Annual Report, Appendix No. 7, p. 28).
Binding Note
20th-century calf, upper and lower covers and spine carrying blind-stamped decoration in 16th-century style; spine lettered 'De La Pirotechnia Biringuccio'.
Subject
Mineral industries - Metallurgy - Metal-work - History
Treatises - Italy - Venice - 16th century
Pictorial works - Woodcuts - Italy - 16th century