Alchemy. Its Science & Romance.
London: Society For Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1921. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. x + 246 pp. Brown cloth strikingly illustrated & titled in red and black with black titling to spine. 3 (of 4) plates: one of which is the frontispiece. The first edition of this unusual, sympathetic, and intelligently pieced together overview of the subject of Alchemy. John Edward Mercer (1857-1922), was an intellectual, prolific author, and churchman who served as Anglican Bishop of Tasmania (Australia) from 1902 - 1910 where he became well known as an active social reformer. Very light bruising and chafing to spine ends, spine slightly canted, pages lightly toned with a few scattered spots of browning - else text is bright, clean and unmarked. Unfortunately one of the plates ("An Alchemist's Laboratory") is lacking, having been carefully removed. Otherwise a tight, and bright copy that would be priced much higher were it not for the wanting plate. (no dust jacket - likely none issued). Item #64073
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