The title page is encased in a detailed woodcut border illustrating the themes of the book. At the top, a personification of Venice is depicted as a crowned woman seated upon a lion, holding a sword and scales, with the word "VENETIA" Venice divided on either side. The side and bottom borders are filled with vignettes of 16th-century industrial and metallurgical technology: water-powered mills, bellows, furnaces, distillation vessels, crucibles, and laborers engaged in mining and metalwork. On the right, a large bell is shown being hoisted by a crane. At the bottom center is a heraldic emblem featuring a rampant lion clutching a banner that winds around it with the words "Strength conquers through all things" original Latin: "VINCIT FORTITVDIN PER OMNIA". In the corners are further depictions of barrels, cannons, and various tools.

PYROTECHNY.

THE TEN BOOKS OF PYROTECHNY,

In which is treated not only the diversity

of mines The word "minere" here refers both to the mines themselves and the ores/minerals extracted from them., but also everything required

for the practice of them: and everything

pertaining to the art of

smelting or casting The term "getto" specifically refers to the process of pouring molten metal into molds. of metals,

and every other thing

similar to

this.

COMPOSED BY SIGNOR

Vannuccio Biringuccio,

Sienese nobleman.

WITH THE APOSTOLIC PRIVILEGE,

and that of His Imperial Majesty, and of the Illustrious Venetian Senate.

A "privilege" was an early form of copyright protection granted by authorities (the Pope, the Emperor, and the State of Venice) to prevent others from reprinting the work for a set period.

De la Pirotechnia

PYROTECHNY.

THE TEN BOOKS OF PYROTECHNY,

COMPOSED BY SIGNOR

Vannuccio Biringuccio,

Sienese nobleman.

1550.