Search

This book, which belonged to Charles W. Matt, a jeweler in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, contains chemical formulas, recipes, and instructions related to methods of working with metals such as gold and silver.

This book (approximately 200 pages, not all of which are used) belonged to Charles W. Matt, a jeweler in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, around or after the 1920s. The book contains formulas, recipes, and instructions related to working with various metals, particularly gold and silver; most entries were written directly into the volume, with a few additional clippings pasted or laid in. The notes pertain to aspects of metalwork, such as making alloys, bronzing and finishing processes, dissolving and etching metals, casting metals, stripping and cleaning metals, and refining gold. Also included are recipes for making imitation ivory, paste, waxes, and cements. Supplemental information about chemical elements and casting insects is also present.