Rare first edition in book form (parts had been published in 1720 in the periodical Berlinische und Cölnische ordinaire Post-Zeitung) of descriptions of lamps capable of burning for prolonged periods without having to be refuelled, invented by the Saxon court mechanic Andreas Gärtner (1654-1727), a cabinet maker and mechanic who had learned his trade during twelve years travel throughout Germany and Italy (Venice, Bologna and Rome). By 1686 he was royal cabinet maker to the Dresden court, and later also royal mechanic. Delighting in complicated mechanical models and devices, he soon became known as the "Saxon Archimedes". Unfortunately, most of his works perished in a fire at the Wackerbarth Palace in 1728. Gärtner's famous world clock (ca. 1700), boasting 365 dials, survives and still draws crowds at the Zwinger (palace and grounds) in Dresden. The frontispiece shows some of his newly-invented lamps.
Insignificant browning. A clean copy in very good condition. Thieme- Becker XIII, 37 ff.; VD18 10861343 & 12228311 (1 copy each); WorldCat (5 copies).