[28], 467, [1] leaves. a-c8, d4, A-Z8, AA-ZZ8, AAA-MMM8, NNN4. With woodcut device ("Sybilla") on title-page and final leaf, woodcut historiated initials, full-page woodcut diagram of a mine. (8vo) 5-7/8x3-7/8, later (19th century?) quarter calf & boards, spine gilt, morocco lettering piece, page edge speckled.
First edition of the Italian translation of Agricola's De ortu et causis subterraneorum, first printed 1546, by an anonymous translator. It deals with the generation of minerals from the earth, the nature of fossils, etc. Quite rare: a search of the RLG Union Catalog finds only three copies, at Stanford, the American Philosphical Society, and Linda Hall Library. Provenance: From the Library of Arthur M. Ellis.
Condition:
Short tear to front joint at spine head; title-page a little soiling, pencil marks to table of contents, still an exceptionally nice, clean copy