A Discovery of Subterranean Treasure, viz. Of all manner of Mines & Minerals, from the Gold to the Coal, with plain Directions and Rules for the finding of them in all Kingdoms and Countries. Also the Art of Melting, Refining, and Assaying them made plain and easie to every Ordinary Capacity, so that they may with small Charge try the value of such Oars as shall be found either by Rule or Accident... To which is added, A real Experiment, to try whether a Piece of Gold be True or Counterfeit, without defacing or altering the form thereof, with more Certainty that any Goldsmith or Refiner could formerly do.
London: Booksellers of London and Westminster, 1712. Third printing. Pamphlet. Important treatise on mineralogy considered the first useful text in English on metallurgical matters, it is essentially a technical guide to mining and metallurgy which in part speculates about America's potential as a source of rare ores. First published in 1639 in 4to format; in 1679 it appeared in this pamphlet format.
The tract contains factual information illustrated by the author's own experiments and includes the following topics: the generation of mountains and metals; the signs of mines of minerals; the smelting and refining of Lead, Tinn, Iron, Copper, Silver and Gold; How true and perfect Gold may be made by Art; How to find Pit-coal; and how to colour with plant dyes.
Plattes refers to the possibility of productive mining in the colonies, referring to New-England, Virginia, Bermudas, & c.: "these Mines, if they prove rich, would yield more Gain in one year than their Tobacco, and such Trifles, would yield in their whole Lives." (p5). Plattes was an extremely poor author who wanted to reprint this pamphlet in 'The Treasure House of Nature Unlocked' in 1644, but there is no record of this occurring. The author died of starvation in the 1650s.
Pamphlet, 8vo, 22pp. Later single stitch bound with the original holes visible. Light general toning of paper with early ink mark in top corner. OCLC: 488659473. Very good condition. Item #22723
Price: $1,250.00