Weg-wyzer voor aankoomende goud en zilversmeeden: verhandelende veele weetenschappen, die konsten raakende, zeer nut voor alle jonge goud en zilver-smeeden : met kooper plaetjes

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A practical manual for young gold- and silver-smiths, composed by Willem van Laer (1674-1722), a master-silversmith from Zwolle, in the Netherlands. The book teaches all secrets of the trade, describing and depicting the tools, furnaces, etc., one plate showing samples of highly ornate designs for various silver pots and dishes, and two of the plates with elaborate lists of gold, silver and copper prices. Of special interest are the many recipes and trade secrets the book also contains, for testing gold and silver, gilding and silvering, polish, glue etc. To gild silver, for instance, involved not only chemicals like mercury and hydrocloric acid, but also beer. The book became very popular and was much in use all through the 18th century, and even today the book is still of interest for the profession. Two other editions are known, one of circa 1725 and another of 1721 (two different imprints).