Popular Fallacies
London: Cassell and Company Ltd., 1907. First edition. 8vo, x, [3], 312pp. Frontis and 7 plates. Presentation copy from the author signed to the former owner on date of publication on half title verso. Publisher's green cloth with black line illustration and lettered in gilt on front cover and spine. Spine darkened, corners bumped and rubbed. Endpapers toned, pencil numbering of the fallacies about halfway through. Newspaper clipping tipped in at rear. A very good copy.
A very curious and scarce book, basically a compendium of debunked folk beliefs; or, an early version of Myth Busters. Covered are Domestic Fallacies, Fallacies Connected with Ourselves, Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Kingdoms, Musical Instruments, Weather, and more. The author deals with palmistry, spiritualism, and other occult practices. Alfred Seabold Eli Ackermann (1867-1951) was a mechanical and civil engineer who served as consultant to the Controller of National Aircraft Factories and secretary of the Society of Engineers in England. Item #9022
Price: $65.00