SMITH (John). The Art of Painting in Oil. Wherein is included each particular circumstance relating to that art and mystery. Containing the best and most approved rules for preparing, mixing, and working of oil colours. The whole treatise being so full compleat, and so exactly fitted to the meanest capacity, that all persons whatsoever, may be able by these directions, to paint in oil-colours all manner of timber-work; such as posts, palls, palisadoes, gates, doors, or any thing else that requires either use, beauty, or preservation, from the violence or injury of the weather. In which is also particularly laid down, all the several circumstances required in painting of sun-dials, printed pictures, shash-windows, &c. in oily-colours. The Seventh edition, with some alterations, and many matters added, which are not to be found in the former editions. To which is added, the wholeart and mystery of colouring maps, and other prints, with water-colours.1759

London: Printed for Dan. Browne, Seventh edition, with additions, 12mo (170 x 95 mm), [8], 100, [2]pp., with final advert leaf, new end papers, neatly rebound in calf-backed marbled boards, uncut, a nice copy. A popular practical decorating manual first published in 1676, with at least a further eight editions followed up to 1788 - all editions are rare. John Smith (1647/8-1727) was a clock-maker who also wrote several horological treatises, on gauging, on the barometer, and on writing. Chapters on the preparation of colours, the making and applying of gold leaf, 'The art of Back-Painting Metzotinto Prints, with oil-colours''. 'The manner of Painting Cloth, or Sarsnet Sash-Windows' etc., are included. Provenance: Early ownership signature to head of title "H. Mackworth Aprl. 6, 1763."