The Earliest Chemical Industry in the Historical Relations of Economics and Technology

First published in 1948, this historical essay traces the alum trade from the ancient Mediterranean through medieval Italy, papal monopolies, and the later industries of Spain, England, and northern Europe. Singer treats alum as a test case for how a chemical staple used in dyeing and tanning generated mines, works, capital, and state policy. He follows technical processes of extraction and purification beside the merchants and governments that controlled supply. The argument is that technology and economic organization shaped each other. The book is a history of one industry, not a general chemistry text.

Bound in red buckram with black leather gilt printed spine label. Probably no dust-jacket.