FIRST EDITION

The Playbook of Metals:
Including
Personal Narratives of Visits To Coal, Lead,
Copper, and Tin Mines;
With
A Large Number of Interesting Experiments
Relating to Alchemy and The Chemistry of The Fifty
Metallic Elements.

Illustrated with nearly 300 Engravings.
Author: Pepper, John Henry
Publisher: London: Routledge, Warne, and Routledge

1862

$445

An extensive work on metals including substantial chapter on ancient alchemy. Loaded with 19th century engravings and copies of  17th and 18th centuries alchemical woodcuts.
Gorgeous, full leather binding.  Size: 7" x 4 7/8". A remarkably preserved polished calf, "Prize" binding with a gilt crest for Mercers School on front board and "prize" plate on front pastedown.  Stunning scrolling gilt designs on spine. Elegant scrolling borders on front and back boards. Five raised spine bands with beautiful embossed gilt ornaments. All sides of fore-edges of text-block also marbleized. 
 viii, 504pp.  Externally & internally extremely clean. 

Rare book in FINE condition.