The Laboratory; or School of Arts

Printed for James Hodges, at the Looking Glass, facing St Magnus Church, London Bridge. Fourth edition, with additional section on Perspective. 1755. 8vo. [6], 352, [8]pp. Unusual allegorical frontispiece engraved by James Hulett, 16 further copper plates of which 2 are folding (V mis-numbered VI). Later full calf, spine in six compartments with raised bands, leather labels, gilt and blind tooling. Blind tooling to upper and lower boards. Repaired closed fold tear to one plate. Closed repaired tear to p.157/8. Slight chips to corners of frontispiece. Some toning, spotting and offsetting.

The Laboratory; or School of Arts: in which are Faithfully Exhibited, and fully Explained, A variety of curious and valuable Experiments in Refining, Calcining, Melting, Assaying, Casting, Alloying, and Toughening of Gold; with several other Curiosities relating to Gold and Silver. Choice secrets for Jewellers in the Management of Gold; in Enamelling, and the Preparation of Enamel Colours, with the Art of Copying precious Stones; of preparing colours for Doublets; of Colouring Foyles for Jewels; together with other rare Secrets. Several uncommon Experiments for Casting in Silver, Copper, Brass, Tin, Steel, and other Metals; Likewise in Wax, Plaster of Paris, Wood, Horn, &c. With the Management of the respective Moulds. The Art of making Glass: Exhibiting withal the Art of Painting and making Impressions upon Glass, and of laying thereon Gold or Silver; together with the Method of preparing the Colours for Potters Work, or Delf Ware. A collection of very valuable Secrets, for the use of Cutlers, Pewterers, Brasiers, Joiners, Turners, Japanners, Book Binders, Distillers, Lapidaries, Limners, &c. together with the Art of Marbling Books or Paper. A Dissertation on the Nature and Growth of Salt-petre; Also, several other choice and uncommon Chymical Experiments. The Art of preparing Rockets, Crackers, Fire Globes, Stars, Sparks, &c. for Recreative Fire Works. The Art and Management of Dying Silks, Worsteds, Cotton, &c in various Colours. With Additions of a great Number of invaluable Receipts; particularly, a short, plain and easy Introduction to the Art of drawing in Perspective.

"Godfrey Smith published a substantial collection of recipes for making fireworks in his Laboratory, or School of Arts"*. He also published and illustrated the Memoirs of the Royal Society. *Werrett, Simon. Fireworks: Pyrotechnic Arts and Sciences in European History. Chicago. 2010.

ESTC: T7211