Bate, John | Hydraulics; fireworks; art techniques; medical formulae and miscellaneous recipes

Bate, John
The Mysteries of Nature and Art... Of Water Works ... Of Fire Works ... Of Drawing, Washing, Limming, Painting, and Engraving ... Of Sundry Experiments. [London]: [Thomas Harper] for Ralph Mabb, 1635

4to (187 x 140 mm). Title in red and black within engraved border of instruments and inventions featured in the text, 3 section titles (Books 2 and 3 with woodcut vignettes), engraved frontispiece portrait of Bate by G. Gifford, numerous woodcut text illustrations (many full-page), woodcut initials and headpieces; title and frontispiece soiled, fore-edge of title a trifle frayed, lacks Y3–4 and Z1, oxidized ink spots on S4 and L2 costing a word, lower inside corner of Nn4 torn costing a word. Contemporary calf; worn, upper board detached.

Second edition, expanded. The "first comprehensive illustrated English book on waterworks and hydraulic machinery. It also includes sections on drawing, painting, recipes, and folk remedies, as well as one on fireworks and incendiary devices largely derivative of earlier English and continental works on the subject ... Bate's influence extended to the young Isaac Newton, who owned a copy of Mysteries, copied extracts from Bate's section on drawing, and was probably inspired by his section on waterworks" (ONDB).

REFERENCE:
Duveen, p. 51; ESTC S101060; STC 1578

Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.

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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.