Artificial fireworks
Published: 1785
Language: eng
Number of pages: 281
Subjects: Fireworks
Description: Manuscript handbook of firework design and manufacturing instructions illustrated with technical drawings in brown ink with grey and brown wash. In the first two volumes the author presents the main types of pyrotechnique shapes, such as the Fruiloni wheel, single and double vertical wheels, sky and water rockets, "marrons," "pots de brins," "pots de Saucissons," air balloons, "Roman candles" and other shapes and devices. Detailed descriptions indicate the materials, the manufacturing and assembling procedures accompanied by accurate drawings and recipes for the appropriate explosive mixtures. The third volume contains only some variations of the main types, two of which were still recent at that time. The first, "called the Roman Trophies in 1774" (p.1-4), is illustrated on the verso of the frontispiece page. The other is the last item in the book ("Reprise of Vertical Wheels 1776"). It begins on page 24 with an interesting piece of information: "This was the last Piece invented by me for Lord Townshend's birth day being the 11th of March above - only one of the short posts was fired upon the Green in Woolwich Warren." The text ends abruptly on page 52, which contains three small drawings. The text of fig. 3 ends in mid-sentence with the words: "in order to show the." The treatise was dedicated to Major Congreve, comptroller of the Royal Laboratory at the Woolwich arsenal.
Notes: Spine title: ARTILLERY.

The front endpaper of each volume is inscribed in a later hand: "Presented to H. Cleaver esq. by  Th[oma]s E. Crispe."

The three volumes are bound in contemporary marbled calf. All pages have a ruled frame in brown ink. Each volume has a frontispiece page decorated with a pyrotechnic design presented in the book. The frontispiece of volume 1 contains an arch surmounting the dedication in an oval frame: "To Major CONGREVE this First Volume of Artificial Fireworks, is humbly dedicated by his most obedient, devoted Servant John Maskall 1785." Volume 2 has the same dedication on the base of an illuminated obelisk. Volume 3 has the frontispiece leaf illustrated on both sides: on the recto a portico with crowned emblems and inscriptions surrounded by lettered devices; on the verso a model of "Roman Trophies." Volumes 1 and 2 contain subject indexes.

Open for use by qualified researchers.

Accessioned 01/29/93