Rittinger, Peter von; Erfahrungen im berg- und hüttenmännischen Maschinen-, Bau- und Aufbereitungswesen. Zusammengestellt aus den amtlichen Berichten der k. k. österr. Berg-, Hütten- und Salinen-Beamten. Jahrgang 1, 1854 through Jahrgang 5, 1858. Wien, 1855-1859. Small folio, pp. 44, 24 folded plates, 3 folded tables, pp. 46, 13 folded plates, 3 folded tables, pp. 35, 20 folded plates, 3 folded tables, pp. 42, 15 folded plates, pp. 25, 10 folded plates 1 table.
The text is complete and in a modern calf with gilt spine titles, raised spine bands and gilt tooling. The first title page has 2 early European stamps and light foxing, remainder of text is very clean with some soiling to the very outer edges of folded plates. In very good condition. Rare as a complete set.
Born in Novy Jic in the Czech Republic (now Neutitschein) in 1811; Rittinger became a prominent inventor and mining engineer. He was a pioneer in ore-dressing techniques, and constructed the first water-pressure engine. He entered civil service in 1840, moved to Vienna in 1850 where he continued in civil service and became administrative head of the state Departments of forests and of mines. He died in Vienna in 1872. Rittinger published several short works and the above publication which was considered a supplement to the Oesterreichische Zeitschrift für Berg- und Hüttenwesen Erscheinungsort. Each issue contains a description of the processes and equipment in the Austrian mining industry.