SCIENCE/PRACTICE] - Lot 58

SCIENCE/PRACTICE] REAUMUR] The Art of Converting Wrought Iron into Steel and the Art of Softening Cast Iron, or of Making Cast-Iron Pieces as Finely Finished as Those of Wrought Iron, Paris, Brunet, 1722 One in-4 volume in full calfskin, ribbed spine, gilt decorations on the title page, (16), 566 pages, (2), 17 plates. A dedicated first edition in which Réaumur demonstrates the possibility of transforming cast iron into steel by adding oxidized iron. This work led to the introduction of steel production in France, a metal that had previously been imported. Incomplete copy: missing the dedication to the Duke of Orléans. Does contain all 17 plates. P89 has a tear with a margin loss. Corners worn, binding scuffed, joints fragile.