First edition of the English translation and adaptation of an important work by one of the foremost metallurgists of the 17th century. The first part is the first English adaption of the celebrated practical manual on mining and metals by Lazarus Ercker (ca. 1530-1594), Bohemian metallurgist, courier for mining affairs under Emperor Maximilian II, and under Rudolf II he was assay master of the mint in Prague. Ecker's work was first published in 1574 and went through several subsequent editions (8th ed. 1672 was retitled Aula subterranea alias Probierbuch). Pettus translated and adapted Ecker's original work. The title Pettus chose for the work Fleta Minor, hinted to his imprisonment in the Fleet, having fought for Charles I in the Civil War. The illustrations to the work were re-drawn on copper after Ercker's original woodcuts, but all workmen were put into contemporary English costume. The second part also is of great importance, as it is the first edition of the first English dictionary of mining terms.
Sir John Pettus (1613-1690) was an English royalist, politician and natural philosopher. Pettus was an expert on metallurgy and became a deputy governor of the royal mines in England and Wales under Charles I and II. He is known for the first English translation of the work of the German metallurgist Lazarus Ercker.
With the large book plate of R.C. Sticht, depicting a mining scene, mounted on the front pastedown and some occasional manuscript annotations in pencil in the margins. Binding rebacked, showing minor signs of wear along the edges, corners and joints of the boards, internally with some minor foxing in the margins. Otherwise in very good condition. Duveen 468; Ferguson II, pp. 185-186 (first part in the ed. of 1686); Honeyman 2461; USTC 3107029; Wing P 1907.