The Sincerely Discovered Art of Assaying and Refining of the Venetians

Three horizontal bands of decorative printers' ornaments. The top and bottom bands consist of small, repeating floral and geometric motifs. The middle band is composed of larger, more elaborate scrollwork and leaf patterns.

Kind Reader,

I offer you a few sheets, which contain such truths that are well worthy of being known by the lovers of the noble Art of Assaying. It cannot be denied that there are sufficient authors on the common Art of Assaying, and therefore it would likely not be necessary to report more on it; however, since one person's concepts are not suitable for everyone, and the truth lies hidden under various covers, and furthermore one person has these techniques, another has others; one treats minerals in this way, another in another to treat