The Grocer’s Companion and Merchant’s Hand-Book : Containing a comprehensive account of the growth, manufacture and qualities of every article sold by grocers. Also tables of weights and measures, and information of a general nature of value to grocers and country merchants.Price $2.00

Boston: New England Grocer Officer/Benjamin Johnson, 1883. Octavo (22 x 14.5 cm.), 240 pages. Illustrated, including a color frontispiece. FIRST EDITION THUS; with the Coffee Supplement (approximately 50 pages), introduced by Chase & Sanborn. “This work comprises, within itself, all the uses of a Cyclopeadia, a Manual and a Hand-book, all the necessary, well-ascertained and authenticated facts being condensed into the smallest space consistent with completeness and perspicuity.” Entries range from Acid Phospates to Yeast and a complete section on weights and measurements as pertains to the 19th century grocer. The coffee supplement includes material on the history, cultivation, and varieties of coffee, as well as information on proper care and processing of the beans. Some light staining to a few leaves, and some age-toning throughout. In pebbled brown cloth, blind-ruled and gilt title stamped to front panel. Near very good.