1 / 7
drawing of a drawing of a machine in a factory with a man working on itan old book sitting on top of a table next to a white backgroundthe front page of a book with a picture of a bird on itdrawing of a view of a valley with a river in the foregroundan image of a drawing of a table and chairs in a rooman image of a drawing of a staircase and a buildingan old book with a drawing of a building on it
Premium Maître Paul PASTAUD

41 - DELIUS (Christoph Traugott). A Treatise on the Science of Mi…
See original version (French)

Estimate €500 - €700
Sale commission
Description
DELIUS (Christoph Traugott). A Treatise on the Science of Mining, in Theory and Practice, with a Discourse on the Principles of Finance; prepared for the Imperial and Royal Academy of Schemnitz. By Christophe-François Délius, Councillor-Commissioner of the Court of His Imperial, Royal, Apostolic & Roman Majesty, at his Chamber of Coins & Mines. Translated into French by Mr Schreiber. Dedicated to the Empress-Queen, and printed in Vienna at the expense of His Imperial and Royal Majesty, and printed in France by order of the King and at His Majesty’s expense. Paris, Imprimerie Philippe-Denys Pierres, 1778. 2 volumes in-4, marbled sheepskin, spine with decorated raised bands, red and green title and volume number labels, red edges (contemporary binding). Significant wear to the leather, caps and corners. First French edition of one of the most important European treatises on mining during the Age of Enlightenment. Written by Christoph Traugott Delius (1728–1779), professor at the renowned Mining Academy of Schemnitz, the work methodically sets out the geology of ore deposits, extraction techniques, the driving of adits and shafts, drainage, ventilation, ore processing and hydraulic machinery. Illustrated with 25 fine technical plates, it marks the transition from the technical tradition inherited from Georgius Agricola in the 16th century to modern engineering, forming a remarkable synthesis of the mining knowledge of the time. The treatise is supplemented by a substantial discussion of the principles of mining finance, in which the author addresses the economic and administrative issues associated with the exploitation of underground resources. Royal arms smudged with ink on the title vignettes. Handwritten bookplate by F. Souquet.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale MONTIGNAC – 31st BOOK SALE – Day 1 of 4 – Nos. 1 to 549
Auction location
Auction time 08/19/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like