The Plate-Glass-Book, Consisting of the Following Authentic Tables. I. The Value of any Looking-Glass when finished and fit for framing. II. The Glass-House Table. III. The Price of Grinding, Polishing, Silvering, and Diamond-cutting. IV. The Value of a Looking-Glass when accidentally Broken. V. The several discounts made at the Glass-House. By a Glass-House Clerk.

Second edition, long tall 8vo (200 x 75 mm), xxv, [1], 170, [2], iv, 46, 46a-h, 47-74pp., 3 engravings including 2 illustrs of complete and broken glass, lightly washed in pale green, cont. sheep, neatly rebacked, plain spine with five raised bands ruled in gilt. First published in 1758, this rare work consists of numerous tables providing pricing and manufacturing techniques on a wide range of goods. In the first part, there is extensive information on the production of plate glass and mirrors, including instructions on grinding and polishing glass, repurposing mirrors, convex and concave mirrors, coloured glass, and other similar pursuits. Following these instructions are tables of prices and various measurements. The second part contains explanations of measurement calculations on a variety of goods and hardware. These explanations are accompanied by tables of prices and measurements. This book provides deep insight into the economic and manufacturing concerns of numerous trades during the mid-18th century, and the heavy taxes and excise duties on plate glass reflect how the price limited the use of plate glass. Provenance: James Hunter, 1770, ownership signatures on front free endpaper and on title-page; Jon Webster, old signature at foot of page with coloured woodcut. Duncan, Bibliography of Glass, 1024.