Bruckmann, Franz Ernst; Der Unterirdische Schatz-Cammer aller Konigreiche und Lander, in Ausfuhlicher Beschreibung aller, mehr als MDC. Bergwercke durch alle vier Welt-Theil Supplement…..Braunschweig, 1734. Small folio, pp. 4, 44 pp, three engraved plates (one folding).
This very rare work is complete and in a 20th century tooled calf over marbled boards with gilt spine titles. The binding is tight and in fine condition. The text is uniformly lightly toned but retains a sharp quality to the print. In very good condition.
Franz Ernst Brückmann (1697-1753) was German physician, naturalist and mineralogist. He wrote on several subjects including mineralogy, ore deposits and botany. Brückmann originally practiced medicine in Braunschweig, then in Wolfenbuttel before returning to Braunschweig as a Medical Assessor for the Collegium Medicum in Braunschweig. During this period he devoted considerable time to his passion for natural history, especially mineralogy.
Brückmann wrote on a broad range of subjects and accumulated both a large library and a collection of minerals, gemstones and botanical specimens.
He was the first to introduce the term "oolithus" to rocks that resemble in structure the roe or eggs of a fish. Thus the terms “oolite” and “oolitic”. He was a member of the Berlin Academy and the Leopoldian Academy, to which he was elected on 1725.
Brückmann is best remembered for his three part guide to mining throughout Europe with references to mining in the New World. The work was titled “Magnalia Dei In Locis Svbterraneis Oder Unterirdische Schatz = KammerAller Königreiche und Länder, In Ausführlicher Beschreibung |Aller, mehr als MDC.” The first two parts appeared between 1727 and 1730. A final part; considered a supplement, appeared in 1734. That supplement is very rare and describes the world famous silver mining works of Sweden, the operations and minerals. The supplement had not been seen nor examined by Hoover or Schuh and is not found in libraries.
