Vannoccio Biringuccio - Pirotechnia li diece Libri della Pirotechnia (Alchimia e Metallurgia) - 1558/1559

Libro De la Pirotechnia del senese Vannoccio Biringuccio. This work, first printed in Venice in 1540, is to be considered the first absolute treatise on metallurgy, and it deals with both the main minerals and their use, the arts of jewellery, glassware, sculpture, mint and mineral extraction. But given the occupation of Messer Biringuccio, this treatise is above all a book on gunpowder and its use in war, on the preparation of underground bombs that "con il fuoco ruinare fanno le fortezze inespugnabili, per non altrimenti potere visi condurre artigliaria", and on the construction of cannons and iron balls. This work is distinguished by its simplicity of exposition and the wealth of explanatory plates, also designed by Biringuccio, and the enormous success achieved led it very soon to be translated into French, German, English and Latin. Together with Benvenuto Cellini's Trattato dell'Oreficeria, Biringuccio's Pirotechnia has long been indispensable for European goldsmiths. Vannoccio Vincenzio Austino Luca Biringuccio (Siena 1480 - 1539?) was one of the greatest masters of metallurgy and fusion of the fifteenth and sixteenth century. He was responsible for an iron mine near Siena, responsible for the mint and the arsenal. He also directed the casting works to make the cannons for Venice and Florence. In 1538, shortly before his death, he became head of the apostolic foundry in Rome and director of the artillery factory of the papal arsenal. Condition: More than good copy, complete with all sheets and plates. Slight foxing and light water stains on the last pages. With old restorations, well made and not invasive. Year: 1558 (1559 on the last sheet) Publisher: Privilegio Apostolico Senato Veneto (Comin da Trino di Monferrato on the last sheet) Ex-Libris: P. Nando. Sheets: (8) + 168 Binding type: Blank hardcover.