"MONUMENTAL… OUGHT TO BE IN THE HANDS OF EVERYBODY CONNECTED WITH THE BREWING INDUSTRY": RARE INSCRIBED PRESENTATION FIRST EDITION OF ARNOLD'S ILLUSTRATED ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF BEER, 1911

ARNOLD, John P. Origin and History of Beer and Brewing. From Prehistoric Times to the Beginning of Brewing Science and Technology. Chicago: Alumni Ass'n of the Wahl-Henius Institute of Fermentology, 1911. Tall quarto, original pictorial orange- and black-stamped green cloth, patterned endpapers. $3000.

First edition of Arnold's widely praised and comprehensive history of beer, spanning the prehistoric era through the late 18th century, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front flyleaf: "In appreciation of his high qualities in conducting the brewery business this book is respectfully dedicated to Mr. L. Fabacher by the author, John P. Arnold. October 1911."

Written for the 25th Anniversary of Chicago's famous Wahl-Henius Institute, this is widely regarded as the first comprehensive book on beer-making. Its author, John P. Arnold, was a writer and editor for Der Braumeister and Siebel Technical Review, two Chicago brewing journals. He skillfully orients the history of beer within the larger history of mankind, discussing beer as it relates to religious ceremonies, dining, agriculture, invention and more. On publication Arnold's Origin and History was praised as "monumental… ought to be in the hands of everybody connected with the brewing industry" (American Brewers' Review XXV: 596-7). With numerous in-text and full-page illustrations. As issued without dust jacket. LOC Catalog VIII:5604.

An about-fine inscribed presentation copy.