More than 100 colour recipes

[Dyeing manual]. Färber farben gere[c]ht anzustöllen auf unterschidliche arth.

[Probably Germany], 1779.

4to (164 x 207 mm). German manuscript on paper. 66 pp., black ink in a single hand, per extensum. Contemporary half leather over marbled boards.

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Collection of over 100 colour recipes in neat handwriting, probably the work of a German dyer active towards the end of the 18th century. It comprises instructions for preparing dyes in various colours, including blue, scarlet, crimson, red, brown, yellow, black, green, grey, silver, and white, for dyeing materials such as linen, cotton, and wool. In addition, the author discusses some of the most common dyeing mistakes and the treatment of dyed cloth, stressing the importance of suitable water and giving instructions on how to render hard water softer by adding wheat bran.

The manuscript appears to draw on several relevant contemporary publications, a few passages originating from Adam Friedrich Kirsch's handbook "Der in vielen Wissenschaften reichversehene curiöse Künstler" (Nuremberg, 1728) as well as from the "Fata chymica" of Fontanus Hortulanus (Frankfurt, 1737).

Covers somewhat rubbed; interior very well preserved but lacking one page of text at the end. Flyleaves removed. Trimmed fairly closely in some places.

Stock Code: BN#56696