184 pp. (8vo) 7½x4½, original full calf, red morocco spine label. First Edition.
First and only edition of one of the earliest American distilling manuals with directions for making spirits of such as rye, corn, buck-wheat, apples, peaches, potatoes, pumpions (sic) and turnips, with directions how to conduct and improve the practical part of distilling in all its branches. Together with directions for purifying, clearing, and coloring whiskey, making spirits similar to French brandy &c. from the spirits of rye, corn, apples, potatoes, etc. And sundry extracts of approved receipts for making cider, domestic wines, and beer. The author was from Lancaster County, PA. A valuable work, even in its own time, an inscription on the front pastedown, dated August 31, 1811 reads: "Simon Moses his book. Bought from William Gibson Secont handed. Paid $1.25. Do not steel this book fore fear of shame for underneath is the owners name. Simon Moses." Very rare. Shaw & Shoemaker 17955; Rink 1473; Gabler G28530.
Condition:
Light wear to binding; large chip in margin of first 2 leaves of preface without loss of text, foxing throughout, dampstain in lower margins, penciled mathematical equations on rear blank, rear free endpaper lacking; very good.