Two Discourses : I. Concerning the Different Wits of Men; II. Of the Mysterie of Vintners

[Charleton, Walter]

Published by William Whitwood, London, 1669

About this Item

Octavo. [xiv], 230. 6.5" x 4.5" Your Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Understanding - And Wine Walter Charleton (1619-1707) was a natural philosopher and writer. He was appointed physician to Charles I in 1641, when he was only 22 years old. While he had a practice, he preferred to spend most of his time reading and writing. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1676, where he gave lectures and even led as president for two years. This book presents two of his essays anonymously, although his name appears on later printings. In the first discourse, written in 1664, he examines the nature of man and his understanding. The second essay discusses the putrefaction of wine and how to remedy it. At the very end of the book is an additional essay by Dr. Merret on the process of making sparkling wine by adding sugar and molasses. Originally presented to the Royal Society in 1662, "Some Observations Concerning the Ordering of Wines" is the first documentation of this process. On the front pastedown is the bookplate of Marcus Crahan (1900-1978). A collector of over a thousand culinary books, he also authored a book on the history of drinking in America, titled "Early American Inebrietatis." This bookplate was designed for Crahan by Franz Gentz, a Hungarian artist and writer. It features the Chinese zodiac, a coat of arms, and various symbols, as well as phrases in Arabic, Irish, and Greek. [Dictionary of Anonymous and Pseudonymous English Literature by Kennedy, Smith, and Johnson, p. 129.; Gastronomic Bibliography by Bitting, p. 83.; Bibliotheca Gastronomica by Simon, #335.; Wine into Words by Gabler, p. 57.]. Minor rubbing with spots of wear to edges and corners; small hole rear panel not reaching all the way through the board; joints starting but holding strong; mild foxing and dark spotting throughout; part of corner missing pages 165-6 and 223-4; overall a near fine, tight copy. Contemporary brown calf boards blind ruled, 19th century re-spine and few repairs to corners in tan calf with blind and gilt decorations, dark brown calf spine label, speckled fore edges, blind outer dentelle, plain end papers.

Seller Inventory # 234221

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Two Discourses : I. Concerning the Different Wits of Men; II. Of the Mysterie of Vintners
• Publisher: William Whitwood, London
• Publication Date: 1669
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First edition, first printing.
• Seller catalogs:
  • Collectible
  • Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
  • Philosophy
  • Cute & Charming (Sets/Fine Bindings)