ONE THOUSAND VALUABLE SECRETS into the elegant and Useful Arts Collected from the Practice of the Best Artists and Containing an Account of the Various Methods

Philadelphia: Printed for B. Davies and T. Stephens, 1795. xxxvi, 377 pages. First American edition. The first printing of this translation of selections from the French edition. The title of the book continues: "and containing an account of the various methods of engraving on brass, copper and steel. Of the composition of metals. -- of varnishes. Of mastichs, cements, sealing wax. Of the glass manufactory. Various imitations of precious stones and French paste. Of colours and painting, useful for carriage painters. Of painting on paper. Of compositions for limners. Of transparent colours. Of colours to dye skins and gloves. To colour and varnish copper-plate prints. Of painting on glass. Of colours of all sorts, for oil, water and crayons. Of preparing the lapis lazuli. To make ultramarine. Of the art of guilding. The art of dying woods, bones, &c. The art of casting in moulds. Of making useful sort of ink. The art of making wines. -- Of making vinegars. Of liquors, essential oils, &c. Of confectionary. Of preparing various kinds of snuffs. Of taking out spots and stains. Of fishing, angling, bird-catching, and a variety of other curious, entertaining and useful articles." A scarce title: OCLC locates only 14 copies in libraries worldwide. This copy has been professionally rebacked with brown leather to blend into the original leather covered boards. Red leather title patch. Pages browning. Some expert and unobtrusive paper repair of title page (city of publication was cut off at some point). Occasional staining--2 pages 2/3 covered with dark brown stain, but text is still completely readable.. First U. S. Edition. Hardcover. Collectible-Good+. 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. Book.