DEVILLE Henri Étienne Sainte-Claire De l’Aluminium. Ses propriétés, sa fabrication et ses applications.

Neville, I, 357; DSB, IV, 77.

First edition of this highly important work on the production of aluminium.

Deville (1818-1881), a native the island Saint-Thomas in the French Antilles, received his academic degree in 1843. In 1851 he became professor of chemistry at the Écoles nationale supérieure.

“A milestone in the literature of chemical technology, in which the preparation of alumium on a large scale is described. It formed the starting point for the development of the first practical industrial production of aluminium, one of the lightest metals used in many facets of modern life” (Neville).

Le large folding plate by Duclos depicts the apparatus used for the production

Some occasional foxing, else a fine copy.