Initial printings of Spectropia were made in New York City by James G. Gregory, and in London by Griffith and Farran.

[1] With sixteen large lithographed plates[2] (thirteen of which were hand-coloured[3]), Spectropia includes several sections; namely an introduction, directions, and one called "Popular and Scientific description."

[3] Brown was distressed by an increased public interest in spiritualism,[7] something which he deemed a "mental epidemic.

"[8] By offering a scientific explanation on the properties of light, color, and the structure of the eyes,[1] he states in the section "Popular and Scientific description" that the purpose in writing Spectropia was to bring forth "the extinction of the superstitious belief that apparitions are actual spirits, by showing some of the ways our senses may be deceived.

"[7] Additionally it was called "a clever book" by a reviewer of Chemical News, noting its exemplary use of the afterimage phenomena.