Ferber, Johann Jakob; Beytrage zu der Mineral-Geschichte von Bohem. Bound with Beschreibung des Quecksilber-Bergwerks zu Idria in Mittel-Crayn. Berlin: C. F. Hamburg, 1774. Octavo, pp. 22, 162, engraved vignette on title, folding engraved plate and large folded hand colored engraved map. Second work, pp. 8, 76, three folded engraved plates.
Bound as set in contemporary half sheep and speckled boards with gilt spine label. Binding is rubbed and lightly worn, spine title faded, corners worn. Text and all plates clean and bright, early penned titles on first free end sheet. In very good condition. Rare.
Ferber (1743-1790) was a famous Swedish mineralogist. He studied under Cronstedt, Wallerius and Linnaeus at the University of Upsala. Ferber travelled throughout Germany, France and Italy exploring the mines and studying the mineralogy of the ore deposits. In 1774 he was appointed the position of professor at the University of Mittau in present day Latvia.
Two of his earliest writings are “Beytrage zu der Mineral-Geschichte von Bohem” and “Beschreibung des Quecksilber-Bergwerks zu Idria in Mittel-Crayn”. Both were published in 1774 and are based on his research and observations made during his travels to Bohemia and Italy.
The first work laid the foundation for future geological studies of the Austro-Hungary empire. In the first part Ferber lists each mining operation in Bohemia. The second part describes in detail nineteen operating mines in the area, giving details of their operation and production. The final part discusses the legal rights of the nobility versus the landowners regarding the mineral wealth of the area.
In the second work, Ferber provides a detailed description of the quicksilver mines at Idria, Italy. It is an early important account of the very rich quicksilver. The mines rank just below those of Almaden in Spain, which are the richest in the world.
