THE COUNTRY DYER'S ASSISTANT

Brookfield: E. Merriam, 1798. First Edition. 12mo, pp. viii, (9-)139 pp. + 3 pp. index + errata page. Bound in contemporary calf, with stamped gilt spine label (lacks part of the gilt), contemporary ownership signature on the end paper which is water stained, staining to the title page and final leaves while most of the book has only minor foxing, generally a good copy of the first American die book. Contemporary ownership signature of Considine(?) Allen of Woodstock, CT on the endpaper,1899 ownership signature of Lyman Ware as well. Evans 33670; Rink 1837; English Short Title Catalog, W37629. Rare. " He was born on August 25 1756 in Medway, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. He claims in his book that he would have entered the dyeing trade around the year 1778, at that time at the age of 22. It is said that Ellis was briefly a part of the American Revolution. In 1805, Ellis published a second edition of his book." -Textile Chemist & Colorist; Oct86, Vol. 18 Issue 10, p27. (Inventory #: 53862)