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an old picture of a drawing of a machine in a factoryan open book with a drawing of a house on it ' s cover
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1670 - Mill Construction
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Estimate €800 - €1,200
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Description
Mill Construction Johann Matthias Beyer, Jacob Leupold Theatrum Machinarum Molarium, or A Display of the Art of Mill Construction, which presents all manner of such machines, known as mills, both historically and practically, together with their ground plans and elevations. With an engraved title vignette and 43 folded copperplate plates. Leipzig, Wolfgang Deer, 1735. Folio. 2 parts in 1 volume. (16), 125, (7), (12), 206, 49 (3) pp. Folio. Pigskin binding with contemporary roller and block stamps, with 2 clasps (binding slightly bumped and stained; one clasp missing). Collection of Ornamental Engravings, Berlin 1791. – Library of the Deutsches Museum, Libri rari, p. 170. – Graesse IV, 188. – Poggendorff I, 1438. - Cf. Engelmann, *Bibliotheca mechanico-technologica*, p. 38. - Sotheran 10767. - First edition of the ninth part of Jacob Leupold’s ambitious *Theatrum Machinarum*, published posthumously. The Leipzig-based mathematician, mechanical engineer and instrument maker Jacob Leupold (1674–1727) originally planned his encyclopaedic work on machinery to comprise twenty volumes; it ranks among the earliest comprehensive technical encyclopaedias in the German-speaking world. This volume, edited by Johann Matthias Beyer and his colleagues, was published after Leupold’s death and was explicitly conceived as the ninth part of his treatise on machinery. This richly illustrated first part offers a systematic presentation of the various types of mills and their technical requirements. It covers the assessment of the gradient and the available water volume, the layout and construction of water and windmills, power transmission, gear mechanisms and grinding mechanisms, as well as specialised mills for processing different materials. The carefully executed, folded copperplate engravings depict plan and elevation views, technical details and the functional relationships of the machines described. Of particular significance is the link between mechanical engineering and commercial law: The second part brings together domestic and foreign mill regulations and official decrees, as well as what is known as the ‘core’ of mill law. The volume is therefore aimed not only at mill builders and hydraulic engineers, but also at mill owners, administrative officials, financial administrators and lawyers. Issues relating to water law, the utilisation of gradients, mill rights and conflicts in hydraulic engineering are addressed on the basis of selected expert reports and legal rulings. - A few small wormholes on the front cover, extending to the first 6 leaves; text leaves partly slightly foxed; plates mostly clean; otherwise a fine copy. A rare first edition of great significance for the history of technology, economics and law in the 18th century. With an engraved title vignette and 43 folding engraved plates. Leipzig, Wolfgang Deer, 1735. Folio. 2 parts in 1 volume. - Contemporary pigskin binding, roll- and panel-tooled, with two clasps. (Binding somewhat rubbed and stained; one clasp missing.) - First edition of the posthumously published ninth part of Jacob Leupold’s large-scale *Theatrum Machinarum*. The Leipzig mathematician, mechanic and instrument maker Jacob Leupold (1674–1727) originally planned his encyclopaedic work on machinery as a series of twenty volumes; it ranks among the earliest comprehensive technical encyclopaedias in the German-speaking world. Edited by Johann Matthias Beyer and his collaborators, this volume was published after Leupold’s death and was expressly conceived as the ninth part of his treatise on machinery. The richly illustrated first part provides a systematic account of the various types of mills and their technical requirements. It discusses the assessment of head and available water supply, the layout and construction of watermills and windmills, power transmission, gearing, and milling mechanisms, as well as specialised mills for processing different materials. The carefully executed folding engraved plates provide plans and elevations, technical details, and explanations of the functional relationships of the machines described. Of particular importance is the combination of mechanical engineering and economic law. The second part brings together German and foreign mill ordinances and official regulations, together with the so-called *Kern des Mühlen-Rechts* (‘Essence of Mill Law’). The volume was therefore intended not only for millwrights and hydraulic engineers, but also for mill owners, administrative officials, cameralists, and jurists. Issues relating to water law, the use of water power, milling rights, and disputes arising from hydraulic works are addressed through selected expert opinions and legal rulings. - A few small wormholes in the front cover extending to the first 6 pages; the text pages are partly slightly foxed; the plates are mostly clean; otherwise, a good copy. A rare first edition of considerable importance to the history of technology, economics and law in the 18th century. This lot is subject to standard taxation. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to standard taxation. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
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