Primitive Physic; An Easy and Natural Method of... John Wesley — 1854 Edition

£42.50

Primitive Physic; An Easy and Natural Method of... John Wesley — 1854 Edition

Name: Primitive Physic; An Easy and Natural Method of... John Wesley — 1854 Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4281
Price: 42.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Published for the Booksellers, 1854.

Formatting: 16mo, pp. [iv], 128.

Condition Report: Good. Bound in its original blind-stamped brown publisher's cloth, the volume remains relatively tight but displays a slight forward lean. The spine features intricate gilt scrolling and lettering that, while lightly rubbed, remains legible and bright. There is moderate shelf-wear to the extremities, including mild fraying and minor loss at the head and tail of the spine, alongside bumping and rubbing to the corners. The boards show minor surface marking and some edge-darkening consistent with age and handling. Internally, the binding holds firm, though the hinges exhibit slight strain. The text block edges are darkened. The pages display mild age-toning and scattered foxing throughout, most notably around the frontispiece and title page, which also exhibit light offsetting.

Catalogue Note: This pocket edition of John Wesley’s celebrated text includes The General Receipt Book appended to the rear, offering upwards of four hundred additional household and medical remedies. Printed generically for the trade, this issue represents the wide, enduring mid-Victorian demand for Wesley's accessible medical advice. The volume is complete with a handsome frontispiece profile portrait of the author.

The book features the mid-twentieth-century ownership inscription of one A. Austin of Bromley, Kent, neatly penned in blue ink on the front pastedown. While early eighteenth-century editions of Wesley's medical tract are scarce and command a premium, these later Victorian reprints are somewhat more common but remain highly collectable examples of historic domestic medicine and self-help literature.

First published in 1747, John Wesley’s Primitive Physic was born from the Methodist founder's conviction that accessible, affordable healthcare was a fundamental necessity for the poor. Filled with a fascinating mix of herbal folklore, common sense, and sometimes bizarre medical cures, it became one of the most widely read medical manuals of the 18th and 19th centuries. This charming 1854 pocket edition captures the enduring legacy of Wesley’s holistic vision, offering a captivating glimpse into Victorian-era home remedies and domestic life.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: John Wesley

Book Publisher: Published for the Booksellers

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Science & Medical

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 128

Book Publication Year: 1854

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.