About this Item
Go back to he early days of organic healing & naturopathy with this self-published guide to medicinal plants, self-published by the author in 1866 (copyrighted the previous year, but never printed). Oliver Phelps Brown was born in the US & established a propriety medicine business in New Jersey (where he wrote & published this book), after which he moved to London & sold his remedies through an apothecary. In this book (his only published work), after offering a brief history of traditional medical practice & identifying its failings, "planetary & climatic influences on the herbal kingdom" are identified & the value of the "crude organic remedies" found in plants is touted. The majority of the book consists of an alphabetical listing of foreign & native (to the US) plants, their physical description, medical properties, history, government (planetary & climatic influences), virtues & healing properties, & methods of preparation & administration. A fascinating, thorough, & useful look into the history of herbal/naturopathic medicine & healing, in 384 pages with pen-and-ink illustrations scattered throughout, some full-page, full-color (though faded) plates. Often reprinted, this is the true FIRST EDITION, first printing, from 1866. Hardcover 12mo has brown pebbled cloth over boards stamped with a gilt floral design to front, blind stamped with same design to rear/gilt lettering to spine; all gilt quite faded. Condition is Good: surprisingly clean, with the occasional random spot or smudge. Some stains & offsetting from old plants pressed inside/some parts of plants still there. Text block securely stitched, but binding is cracking at pages 168-169; both hinges secure, though front one is starting.Dust dulling to outside page edges; interior pages unmarked save for former owner's name in neat script to ffep. The boards are securely attached, but show very heavy rubbing, especially to extremities, with slight cloth loss at corners & spine tips. Our photos depict the Exact book you will receive, never "stock" images of books we don't actually have! Same Day Shipping on all orders received by 2 pm Weekdays (Pacific); later orders, Weekends & holidays ship very next business day. Seller Inventory # 022442
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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Complete Herbalist, or the People Their ...
Publisher: self-published, Jersey City, N. J.
Publication Date: 1866
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket, as Issued
Edition: First Edition First Printing
