|
SMITH, George.
A Compleat Body of Distilling, explaining the mysteries of that science, in a most easy and familiar manner; containing an exact and accurate method of making all the compound cordial-waters now in use, with a particular account of their several virtues: as also a directory consisting of all the instructions necessary for learning the distillers art… London: Printed for Bernard Lintot… . 1725.
8vo, pp. (viii), 150, (2). With the initial advertisement leaf and final index leaf, and separate title-page to the second part; also Lintot’s advertisements inserted at the end. Paper very slightly browned in the margins, minor worming in the margins of 3 leaves (F5–F7), a few faint stains in the margins. Contemporary panelled calf (upper joint and tips of corners neatly repaired), original red morocco label (chipped) on spine.
FIRST EDITION of the standard English work on distilling of the eighteenth century, which went into five editions. It deals with the theory and practice of distilling liquors (including whisky) and cordials, intended partly for those larger houses that were equipped with a still-room. It contains numerous recipes and notes on their medicinal properties. Neville II, p. 484. This first edition is quite rare; for instance it is not in Duveen who had the 1749 edition, or the Ferguson collection.
Unsure of some of these terms? Click here to download a copy of Carter &
Barker, ABC for Book Collectors (2002), which has full explanations.
|
