The Plate-Glass-Book

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, re-purposing mirrors, convex and concave mirrors, colored 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. The end pages of the book have a partially legible inscription from the book’s initial owner, dated 1864.