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FRENCH, JOHN. The Art of Distillation: or, A Treatise of the choicest Spagyrical Preparations, Experiments, and Curiosities,performed by way of Distillation . . . To which is added in this Fourth Impression. Sublimation and Calcination . . . As also, The London-Distiller. Numerous illustrations of chemical apparatus, including 2 full-page. [16], 250, [22]; [2], 43, [3] pages. 2 parts in one volume. 4to, contemporary sheep, flat spine gilt, slightly wormed at top and bottom, joints starting at either end; occasional light marginal toning and soiling. Macclesfield Library embossed stamps and armorial bookplate. London: E. Cotes for T. Williams, 1667
Fourth edition of a work originally published in 1651. "French . . . was a keen advocate of the chemical methods pioneered by Paracelsus and Van Helmont, whose ideas, and those of their followers, he attempted to popularize in the 1650s through original works and translations" (ODNB). Duveen, page 231; Ferguson I, 292-93; Gabler, pages 100-01; Krivatsy 4353.
