Americana Before 1861
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ACCOUNTING IN EARLY AMERICA
1. (ACCOUNTING). Hutton, Charles. A Course of Book-Keeping, According to the Method of Single Entry; with a Description of the Books, and Directions for Using Them ... Adapted to the Currency of the United States, by a Citizen of Philadelphia. Philadelphia: Bennett & Walton; James Stackhouse, pr., 1815. 4to. vii, [3], 30, [46] p. Contemporary pastepaper boards covered in printer's waste, undecorated sheep spine. Boards stained, spine scuffed, rear hinge cracking. Internally clean and lovely. With the ownership signature of David Prickett, 1818. $600.00
Early American edition. S&S 34982 (2 locs.).
BEST EARLY ACCOUNT OF NEW SWEDEN, IN THE ORIGINAL BOARDS
2. ACRELIUS, ISRAEL. Beskrifning om de Swenska församlingars forna och närwarande tilstånd, uti det så kallade Nya Swerige, sedan Nya Nederland, men nu för tiden Pensylvanien, samt nåstliggande orter wid aelfwen De la Ware, Wåst-Yersey och New-Castle County uti Norra America.... Stockholm: Harberg & Hesselberg, 1759. 4to. [20], 449 [i.e., 448], 479-533, [1] p. Contemporary paper-covered boards, gold-stamped paper label on spine. Spine and extremities of boards worn, internally near fine. Bookplates. $2500.00
First edition of the best early account of the Swedish settlements on the Delaware River, and the most comprehensive and accurate history of New Sweden until Amandus Johnson's Swedish Settlements on the Delaware (1911). Acrelius came to America in 1749 as provost of the Swedish churches on the Delaware, and served as pastor of a church in Wilmington until 1756, when he returned to Sweden. A full English translation of the work was published in 1874. This is the first copy we have handled in the original boards, with full wide (202 x 175 mm.) margins and a very minimal amount of browning. Most copies have been trimmed and rebound and exhibit varying degrees of browning. Howes A34; JCB(III) I, 1202; Vail 528; Felcone, New Jersey Books, 1.
AMERICAN POETRY: 1819
3. [AGG, JOHN]. The Ocean Harp: A Poem; in Two Cantos: with Some Smaller Pieces; and a Monody on the Death of John Syng Dorsey, M.D. Philadelphia: M. Thomas; J. Maxwell, pr., 1819. 12mo. xxviii, [1], 30-182 p. Contemporary sheep. Scattered foxing, minor dampstains on half title and title, rear flyleaf loose, else a very good copy. $650.00
John Agg (1783-1855) was an English printer and editor who emigrated to the United States in 1814, where he continued to work as an editor and writer. He is perhaps best known as the author of two Byron apocrypha, including "Lord Byron's Farewell to England." S&S 46939, 47492; Stoddard & Whitesell 1218.
4. (ALMANAC). An Astronomical Diary; or Almanac, for the Year of Christian Æra, 1784 . . . By Daniel Sewall. Portsmouth, N.H.: Printing offices in Portsmouth and Exeter, [1783]. 12mo. [24] p. Stitched as issued. Title page torn and a bit scruffy but complete, one corner grawed but without loss. A good, complete copy. Contemporary signature of Abner Hodgdon. $475.00
Collates [A]4 B14 B4. ESTC records only the MWA copy, Drake adds four others. Evans 18183, Drake 4635.
5. (ALMANAC). Astronomical Diary: or, An Almanack for the Year of our Lord Christ, 1757 ... By Nathaniel Ames. Boston: J. Draper, [1756]. [16] p. Stitched. Burn hole in first three leaves costing several letters, usual light toning. $400.00
Evans 7607; Drake 3105.
6. (ALMANAC). Astronomical Diary, or, An Almanack for the Year of our Lord Christ 1759 ... By Nathaniel Ames. [Boston: Draper, Green & Russell, & Fleet, [1758]. [24] p. Stitched. Usual toning and soiling but almost very good. $400.00
Evans 8072; Drake 3113.
7. (ALMANAC). An Astronomical Diary: or, Almanack for the Year of our Lord Christ, 1762 ... By Nathaniel Ames. Boston: John Draper, Richard Draper, Green & Russell, Edes & Gill, and Thomas & John Fleet, [1761]. [24] p. Stitched. Usual light toning and soiling, burn hole in last two leaves costing a few letters. $400.00
Evans 8786; Drake 3132.
8. (ALMANAC). An Astronomical Diary: or, Almanack for the Year of our Lord Christ, 1764 ... By Nathaniel Ames. Boston: R. and S. Draper, Edes & Gill, Green & Russell, and T. & J. Fleet, [1763]. [24] p. Stitched. Usual light toning and soiling, burn hole in first few leaves costing several letters. $400.00
Evans 9321; Drake 3139.
9. (ALMANAC). Hutchin's Improved: Being an Almanack ... for the Year of our Lord 1772 ... By John Nathan Hutchins. New York: Hugh Gaine, [1771]. [36] p. Stitched as issued. Very good. $400.00
Evans 12083; Drake 5823; ESTC W32509.
10. (ALMANAC). Hutchin's Improved: Being an Almanack ... for the Year of our Lord, 1773 ... By John Nathan Hutchins. New York: Hugh Gaine, [1772]. [36] p. Stitched as issued. Dampstain on last several leaves else very good. $400.00
Evans 12420; Drake 5827; ESTC W32510.
ONLY ONE RECORDED COMPLETE COPY
11. (ALMANAC). Poor Roger, 1768. The American Country Almanack, for the year ... 1768 ... By Roger More. New York: James Parker, [1767]. [30] [of (32)] p., lacking final leaf D4. Stitched and untrimmed. Anatomy cut. A few small ink blotches. $600.00
A very scarce almanac, ESTC recording only one complete copy, at MWA, and a very defective copy at CSmH. This copy lacks the final leaf. Evans 10693; Drake 5793; ESTC W36483.
THREE RECORDED COPIES
12. (ALMANAC). Poor Thomas Improved: Being More's Country Almanack for the Year ... 1767 ... By Thomas More.... New York: W. Weyman, [1766]. [32] p. Anatomy cut. Removed. Large ink stain on title else very good. Contemporary signature of Jonathan Hull. $600.00
ESTC records three copies. Evans 10398; Drake 5786; ESTC W32574.
SATIRE OF NEW YORK SOCIETY BY AN EARLY AMERICAN JEWISH WRITER
13. (AMERICAN JUDAICA). [Judah, Samuel Benjamin Helbert]. Gotham and the Gothamites. A Medley. New York: Published for the author, by S. King, 1823. Small 12mo. lvi, 93, [1] p. Original printed paper-covered boards. Untrimmed and largely unopened. Endpapers slightly foxed, boards a bit scuffed and worn at extremities, else a remarkably well preserved copy, and with the entire spine and letterpress title intact. $2200.00
First edition of a libelous satire of New York society by one of the earliest Jewish-American literary figures. Judah (1804-1876) published seven books between 1820 and 1827, all of which met with little critical acclaim. Immediately after the publication of Gotham and the Gothamites, Judah caused handbills to be posted throughout the city, offering a reward for the discovery of the author. He then wrote anonymous letters to many of the individuals he had mentioned in the book, calling their attention to the book's publication. One of the many prominent New Yorkers skewered in the text was Judah's Jewish playwriting contemporary, Mordecai Manuel Noah, who is the subject of ten footnoted pages. Judah was sued for libel, found guilty, fined, and sent to prison, but was pardoned by the governor five weeks later because of ill health. He was subsequently admitted to the bar and practiced law in New York for the remainder of his life. Shoemaker 12971; BAL 11020; Rosenbach, American Jewish Bibliography, 242.
PASS FOR A PRISONER AT ELIZABETHTOWN, 1780
14. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Adam, John (deputy commissary of prisoners at Elizabethtown). Pass for prisoner William Philips, Elizabethtown, 13 December 1780, signed by Adam as "Com. of Pris'rs." One page, small quarto. Folds, else fine. $650.00
"Mr. Wm. Philips Prisoner on Parole from New York hath Permission to pass from this Post to Goshin [sic] in the State of New York with his Baggage unmolested." The pass is addressed "To whom it may concern."
1776 AMERICAN ALMANAC WITH A FULL-PAGE MILITARY PLAN OF BOSTON
15. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Hutchin's Improved: Being an Almanack and Ephemeris ... for the Year of our Lord, 1776 ... By John Nathan Hutchins. New York: Hugh Gaine, [1775]. [48] p. Stitched as issued. Minor gnawing in bottom margin of first few leaves, costing several letters, else a remarkably nice, clean copy. $3500.00
One of the great Revolutionary War almanacs. This unusually large almanac (at 48 pages, one of the largest American almanacs up to that time) contains much practical information for the American patriot as the war spread through the colonies. Following the standard almanac fare is the full text of a law signed by John Hancock promoting the manufacture of saltpetre. Next is a several-page essay on the methods of making saltpetre, including an account by Benjamin Rush. This is followed by a page of instructions on making gunpowder. The next leaf contains a full-page woodcut "Plan of Boston," followed by a half-page key to the locations, fortifications, troop encampments, battle sites, &c. Wheat & Brun 235; Nebenzahl, Printed Battle Plans of the American Revolution, 9-9a; Reilly 1768; Evans 14125; Drake 5860; ESTC W32498, recording five copies.
PASS TO TRAVEL FROM KAKIAT TO NEW YORK, 1780
16. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Manuscript pass issued to Daniel Geroe (Gerow) to travel from Kakiat "with a two horse team and waggon to move some women and children towards New York." Cakiatt [i.e., Kakiat], 2 May 1780. One page, quarto. Signed by John Coe and Gilbert Coops as commissioners of sequestration. About fine. $600.00
"The commanding officers of the different guards are requested to let the bearer Daniel Geroe ... pass to such place as Peter Herring Esqr. of Herringtown or in his absence some officer in the vicinity of Closter shall direct...." A fine Bergen County Revolutionary War pass.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR PAY ORDER, WEST POINT, APRIL 1779
17. (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--NEW YORK STATE). Order on paymaster Ebenezer Storer to pay Sergt. Jeremiah Bettes the pay due to James Dempsey of Capt. Donnel's company. Signed by Major Tobias Fernald, West Point, 18 April 1779. One page, small quarto. Some browning and light soiling. $425.00
Bettes signs a receipt at the bottom.
A NICE CLEAN MITCHELL'S ATLAS
18. (ATLAS). A New Universal Atlas Containing Maps of the Various Empires, Kingdoms, States and Republics of the World.... Philadelphia: Charles Desilver, 1857. Folio. 76 [i.e., 81] handcolored maps. Complete. Marbled paper-covered boards, red roan spine and corners, large gilt-tooled label on front cover. Hinges broken, spine and corners chipped, but a fine copy internally--clean and entirely free of foxing. $5000.00
The ornate front cover label reads "Mitchell's Universal Atlas." A nice, internally very clean copy of the Desilver Mitchell atlas.
JUSTIFYING TAXATION OF THE AMERICAN COLONIES
19. [BARRON, WILLIAM]. History of the Colonization of the Free States of Antiquity, Applied to the Present Contest between Great Britain and her American Colonies. With Reflections concerning the Future Settlement of these Colonies. London: For T. Cadell, 1777. 4to. vii, [1], 151 p. Fully untrimmed and bound in utilitarian nineteenth-century quarter morocco. Spine rather heavily scuffed, some dampstaining particularly noticeable on the first few pages. Good plus. Modern bookplate. In a handsome portfolio and morocco-backed slipcase. $550.00
First edition. Barron based his justification of taxation of the American colonies on parallels in the colonization attempts of ancient Greece and Rome. Adams, American Controversy, 77-18a; Howes B-179.
ONE OF THE EARLIEST PRINTED AMERICAN JUDICIAL DECISIONS: A MAYOR OF NEW YORK IS SENTENCED TO BE HANGED, DRAWN, AND QUARTERED, 1701
20. (BAYARD, NICHOLAS). An Account of the Commitment, Arraignment, Tryal and Condemnation of Nicholas Bayard Esq; for High Treason, in Endeavouring to Subvert the Government of the Province of New York in America, by his Signing and Procuring others to Sign Scandalous Libels.... London: Printed at New York by order of his Excellency the Lord Cornbury, and reprinted at London, 1703. Fol. 31, [1] p. Modern calf-backed marbled boards, very skillfully executed in period style. Final leaf H2 supplied from another copy, title lightly browned, else a very attractive copy. $4800.00
The first English (and earliest obtainable) edition of one of the earliest printed American judicial proceedings. Nicholas Bayard (1644-1707), nephew of Peter Stuyvesant, was a mayor of New York and a member of the governor's council. When Jacob Leisler seized control of the government of New York in 1689, Bayard was a prime target, and he fled to Albany, where he was seized, brought back to the fort, and imprisoned. Finally Governor Sloughter arrived from England and had Bayard released. In 1697 the new governor, Bellomont, accused Bayard of complicity with the previous governor in the encouragement and protection of pirates. Bayard was removed from office and later accused of encouraging sedition and mutiny and of being a Jacobite. Tried for high treason, he was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. The present work contains the entire text of the 1701/2 proceedings. The unobtainable American edition, printed in New York by Bradford in 1702, is known by only a few copies, in the usual old institutions; this English edition, which contains additional text (pp. 27-32), is almost as scarce. Howes B256; Church 809; Sabin 53436; European Americana 703/12; Ritz, American Judicial Proceedings, 1.05(2c).
EARLY ABOLITION TRACT
21. BENEZET, ANTHONY. A Caution to Great Britain and her Colonies, in a Short Representation of the Calamitous State of the Enslaved Negroes in the British Dominions. London: Reprinted by James Phillips, 1784. 46, [1] p. Modern calf-backed boards. Very good. Bookplate. $550.00
First English edition of the "new edition." Anthony Benezet was a Philadelphia Quaker and, along with John Woolman, one of America's first propagandists against the African slave trade. Originally issued in 1766, this is a key early abolitionist tract that was widely distributed both in America and in England. Howes B-345; Dumond p. 26.
ONE OF THE FIRST AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY TRACTS
22. [BENEZET, ANTHONY]. A Short Account of that Part of Africa, Inhabited by the Negroes. With Respect to the Fertility of the Country; the good Disposition of many of the Natives, and the manner by which the Slave Trade is carried on ... in order to show the Iniquity of that Trade.... Philadelphia: W. Dunlap, 1762. 80 p. Removed from a bound volume. The usual scattered foxing inherent in early American paper, a short single worm trail in the blank fore-margin of the first several leaves, else a very good copy. $2000.00
Second edition, with large additions and amendments. One of the first anti-slavery tracts printed in America. Anthony Benezet was a Philadelphia Quaker and, along with John Woolman, one of America's first propagandists against the African slave trade. Evans 9067; ESTC W29401.
THE FIRST BIBLE PRINTED IN NEW JERSEY
23. BIBLE. The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated out of the Original Tongues: and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. Trenton: Isaac Collins, 1791. 4to. [1316] p. Contemporary blind-paneled sheep (extremities rubbed but hinges very sound). Dampstaining, noticeable at the beginning of the text and diminishing then disappearing further in, then reappearing at the end. "Naomy Bower her Bible and she was born in the year of our Lord 1742,..." with genealogical records of Abraham and Naomi Bower and the Cox and Scholl families. A very good copy. $3000.00
The first Bible printed in New Jersey, the second quarto King James Bible printed in America, and the best known product of the eighteenth-century New Jersey press. For a lengthy and highly detailed account of the printing, binding, promotion, publication, and distribution of the Collins Bible, see Felcone, Printing in New Jersey, 1754-1800, 578. This copy contains the Apocrypha and, like all copies, John Downame's concordance at the end. Evans 22472, 23184, 23656; Hills 31; ESTC W4498, W4517, W27796, W28443, W36125.
SCARCE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY NEW JERSEY BIBLE
24. BIBLE. The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated out of the Original Tongues: and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. Trenton: Isaac Collins, 1793 [i.e., 1794]. Thick 8vo. [1118] p. Contemporary sheep, scuffed at the extremities and darkened, lacking binder's blanks, title soiled and dampstained. $1500.00
The second Bible printed in New Jersey, following Collins's quarto Bible of 1791, and a very scarce book (unlike the quarto). In over 40 years of specializing in early New Jersey printing, we have handled only five copies of this Bible, and they have all been in rough condition. This one is the nicest by a considerable margin. Evans 25171, 26666; Felcone, Printing in New Jersey, 683; Hills 43; ESTC W4510.
25. BIBLE. The Holy Bible.... Philadelphia: Mathew Carey, 1810. 4to. [4], 834, 829-834, [2], [835]-1080, 72 p. 2 folding maps. Contemporary calf, red morocco spine label. Foxed, minor dampstaining at front and rear, else a nice solid copy. $475.00
The Old Testament is dated 1810, the New Testament 1811, and John Brown's Concordance 1810. A good tight period binding. Hills 174; S&S 19515.
FIRST BOOK IN GERMAN PRINTED IN NEW JERSEY
26. BIBLE. NEW TESTAMENT. GERMAN. Das Neue Testament unsers Herrn und Heilandes Jesu Christi.... Princeton: D. A. Borrenstein, 1828. 272, [1] p. Contemporary sheep, very skillfully rebacked in period style. A very nice copy. $600.00
The first book in German type printed in New Jersey. Although the actual presswork was probably done in Princeton by David Borrenstein, who we know owned the type, the book was printed from stereotype plates made in Philadelphia by Jedidiah Howe. There is no other evidence of German type in use in New Jersey until the establishment of German newspapers in the early 1850s. It is interesting to speculate on Borrenstein's reasoning in printing a German-language book in New Jersey, which in 1828 had relatively few German-speaking residents. The book is very rare. In more than 40 years of specializing in New Jerseyana, in Princeton, this is only the second copy we have had for sale. Shoemaker 32319; German Language Printing in the United States 2966; Felcone, Printing in Princeton, 103.
THE EXTREMELY RARE SECOND AMERICAN COLOR PLATE BOOK
27. BIRCH, WILLIAM R. The Country Seats of the United States of North America, with Some Scenes Connected with Them. Springland near Bristol, Pa.: W. Birch, enamel painter, 1808 [i.e., 1809]. Oblong folio (225 x 285 mm.). 4 letterpress leaves, 20 hand colored engraved copper plates (complete). Marbled paper-covered boards, leather title label on front board, straight-grain red morocco gilt spine and corners (very skillfully rebacked). Light marginal foxing on the first letterpress leaf and a light dampstain at the extreme fore-edge of the last three letterpress leaves, else a remarkably fine, fresh copy, with the plates clean and bright and lovely. Contemporary ownership signature of Ann Rouse on title leaf. $100,000.00
First edition of the second American color plate book, and a considerable rarity, missing from most institutional and private collections of early American color plate books. In 1800 William Birch had produced the first American color plate book, The City of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania North America, as it Appeared in the Year 1800. The work was a great success, in spite of its high price, and it gave Birch the encouragement he needed to continue. Sadly, Country Seats, issued a little over eight years later, was a commercial failure. While the Philadelphia work captured the civic pride and enthusiasm of a young nation, Country Seats, argued Philadelphia iconography authority Martin Snyder, "was much more a work born of Birch's individual background, ambitions, and failures. It was, in fact, the product of a desire to raise the prevailing levels of taste in homes and of a desire to identify himself with the leisurely and wealthy life externally portrayed in his pictures."
The twenty color plates, a combination of line and stipple engraving and delicate coloring, depict gentlemen's country estates in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Louisiana. Relatively few complete copies of the book survive. The last copy sold at public auction was the Martin Snyder/Jay Snider copy, Bloomsbury New York, 2008, $90,000 all in. The present copy has remained in a private Philadelphia collection for the last seventy-five years. Most copies of the book suffer from considerable offsetting of the images onto the facing leaves. In this copy the offsetting is negligible. M. Snyder, "William Birch his Country Seats of the United States," Pennsylvania Magazine of History & Biography 81 (3); Howes B-460; Reese, Stamped with a National Character, 2.
28. BOUDINOT, ELIAS. A Star in the West; or, A Humble Attempt to Discover the Long Lost Ten Tribes of Israel, Preparatory to their Return to their Beloved City, Jerusalem. Trenton: D. Fenton, S. Hutchinson, and J. Dunham; George Sherman, printer, 1816. iv, 312 p. Contemporary sheep, very skillfully rebacked in period style. Endsheets replaced, rubber stamp in upper margin of title, foxed and slightly dampstained. $600.00
First edition. Boudinot's attempt to prove that the North American Indians were descended from the Jews. Much important information on Indian language and customs. Howes B643; Pilling, Algonquian, p. 54; Rosenbach 180; Felcone, New Jersey Books, 433.
FIRST AMERICAN EDITION OF BRUCE'S AFRICAN TRAVELS
29. BRUCE, JAMES. An Interesting Narrative of the Travels of James Bruce, Esq. into Abyssinia, to Discover the Source of the Nile. Abridged . . . by Samuel Shaw. New York: For Berry and Rogers, 1790. 12mo. 380, 4 p. Engraved folding map, "Africa," by T. Jefferys. Contemporary sheep, neatly rebacked with original label laid down. Nineteenth-century signature of Benj. H. Smith, probably the Philadelphia cartographer. Usual moderate foxing common to American books of this period, else a very good copy. $550.00
First American edition of Samuel Shaw's popular abridged edition of Bruce's travels into Africa, first published in London earlier in the year. Evans 23228.
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS FOR YOUTH
30. BURDER, GEORGE. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Versified: for the Entertainment and Instruction of Youth. Burlington: Stephen C. Ustick, 1807. 71, [1] p. Contemporary sheep-backed marbled paper covered boards. Front cover detached, front binder's blanks wanting. Light foxing and dampstaining, but quite good. $500.00
Ustick's edition of Burder's Pilgrim's Progress, Versified was issued both with and, as here, without seven woodcut plates by Garret Lansing. Welch 136.1; S&S 12238.
AARON BURR SERMON ON JONATHAN BELCHER
31. BURR, AARON. A Servant of God Dismissed from Labour to Rest. A Funeral Sermon, Preached at the Interment of his late Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq; Governor of his Majesty's Province of New-Jersey, &c. &c. Who Departed this Life at Elizabeth-Town, August 31, 1757.... Boston: Edes and Gill, 1758. iv, iv, 23 p. Removed from a bound volume. Closely trimmed at top margin but without loss, scattered foxing, but very good. $500.00
Burr, then president of the College of New Jersey, died shortly after delivering this funeral sermon. Includes a dedication and a preface by Caleb Smith, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Newark Mountains (now Orange). Evans 8097; ESTC W29395.
AARON BURR NEW JERSEY SERMON: 1757
32. BURR, AARON. The Watchman's Answer to the Question, What of the Night, &c. A Sermon Preached before the Synod of New-York, Convened at Newark, in New-Jersey, September 30. 1756 ... The Second Edition. Boston: S. Kneeland, 1757. 46 p. Removed from a bound volume. Top margin a bit close with an occasional running head slightly cut into by the binder's knife, else very good. $900.00
Second edition of an early New Jersey sermon by the second president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). Aaron Burr was born in Connecticut, graduated from Yale College, and in 1736 became minister of the First Church in Newark. He was one of the original trustees of the College of New Jersey, and after Jonathan Dickinson's death in 1747 Burr became the college's second president, serving until his own death ten years later. During his presidency the college moved from his parsonage in Newark to Princeton. He was the father of Aaron Burr (1756-1836), vice-president of the United States. Evans 7863; Felcone, New Jersey Books, 34; ESTC W29697.
PRESENTATION COPY FROM THE PUBLISHER, WITH THE RARE "FOLIUM RESERVATUM"
33. CATLIN, GEORGE. O-Kee-Pa: A Religious Ceremony: and other Customs of the Mandans. London: Trübner and Co., 1867. Small 4to. vi, [2], 52 p. plus iii-p. "Folium Reservatum." 13 chromolithographed plates after Catlin by Simonau & Toovey. Publisher's purple cloth, gilt, all edges gilt. Binding lightly soiled and faded, extremities lightly worn (spine ends more so), occasional minor foxing. A very good copy of a fragile book difficult to find in fine condition. $15,000.00
First edition, with the rare "Folium Reservatum" bound in at the rear. A presentation copy inscribed by the publisher, Nicholas Trübner ("N. Trübner"), to Thomas Scott. O-Kee-Pa was a religious ceremony practiced by the Mandan tribe that lived on the upper Missouri. It included frenzied dances and highly charged sexual pantomines, followed by barbaric torture and mortification of the flesh. Pioneer Indian bibliographer Thomas Field described the remarkable color plates as depicting the ceremony in "horrible fidelity." Catlin's text is an important survival, as the Mandans were wiped out by smallpox in 1837, shortly after Catlin's visit. The explicit details of the sexual elements of the ceremony, involving a large artificial plallus, were considered too shocking for the general public and were included in a separately issued three-page "Folium Reservatum," purportedly issued in an edition of approximately 25 copies. It is particularly desirable to have it bound together with the main text in an original publisher's binding. Nicholas Trübner was a distinguished bookseller and scholar with a great interest in publishing scholarly works. His publishing house, established in 1851, still exists. Howes C-244 ("b"); Field 262.
DEFENDING THE AMERICAN COLONIES
34. CHAUNCY, CHARLES. A Letter to a Friend, Containing Remarks on Certain Passages in a Sermon Preached by ... John Lord Bishop of Landaff ... in which the Highest Reproach is Undeservedly Cast upon the American Colonies. Boston: Kneeland and Adams, for Thomas Leverett, 1767. 56 p. Untrimmed and stitched, as issued. Half title loose and with a part of the lower blank margin torn off. Light soiling and chipping at fore-edge. With the signature of Abraham Hill, 1767, on the half title. $550.00
First edition. The first response from America to Landaff's sermon deploring the heathenism and infidelity in America and urging the appointment of American bishops. Chauncy defends the American colonies and emphasizes their piety and missionary zeal. The next five years saw one of the largest pamphlet controversies in our history, drawing in such notables as Chauncy, William Livingston, Thomas Bradbury Chandler, and many others. Adams, American Controversy, 67-3a; Nelson, American Episcopate Controversy, 2; Felcone, New Jersey Books, 50; Evans 10579.
EARLY CIVIL RIGHTS PROTEST IN PHILADELPHIA IN 1866
35. (CIVIL RIGHTS). [Kelley, William D.] Why Colored People in Philadelphia are Excluded from the Street Cars. Philadelphia: Benjamin Bacon, 1866. 27 p. Printed wrappers. Handsomely bound in modern marbled paper-covered boards, leather spine label. Very light toning of the first gathering, unobstrusive archival repair to the gutter of the front wrapper. A very good copy. $1500.00
Blacks had long been excluded from riding in the street cars in Philadelphia. The city's mayor even made a public statement that he didn't want the ladies of his family riding in cars with Negroes. When black Civil War veterans returned home, they found they were not permitted to ride in the public cars. Earlier, prominent African American William Still had published a letter in 1859 urging the city to permit black riders, and later there were more demonstrative protests, but it was the denial of service to war veterans that provided the springboard for the change in policy by the street car companies.
36. CLINTON, HENRY. A Letter from Lieut. Gen. Sir Henry Clinton, K.B. to the Commissioners of Public Accounts, Relative to some Observations ... which may be judged to imply Censure on the late Commanders in Chief of His Majesty's Army in North America. London: For J. Debrett, 1784. 31, [1] p. + pasted-in explanation slip. Removed. About fine. $400.00
First edition. Clinton's vindication of his expenditures of public money while in command of the British army during the American Revolution. This copy contains Clinton's "Advertisement" slip pasted to the verso of the title page, justifying his decision to print his letter. Howes C494.
CLINTON VINDICATES THE BRITISH DEFEAT IN VIRGINIA
37. CLINTON, HENRY. The Narrative of Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton, K.B. Relative to his Conduct During Part of his Command of the King's Troops in North America; Particularly to that which Respects the Unfortunate Issue of the Campaign in 1781. With an Appendix.... London: J. Debrett, 1783. [4], 115, [1] p. Later half morocco (scuffed around the extremities). First and last few leaves foxed. $500.00
Second edition. Clinton's spirited defense of his command of the British army in North America, particularly his account of the Virginia campaign that ended with the defeat and surrender of the British army at Yorktown. Cornwallis published a bitter reply to Clinton's narrative, beginning an acrimonious pamphlet and letter controversy. Clinton's work went through several editions in the first year of publication. Adams, American Controversy, 83-21c; Howes C496.
FIRST QUAKER TO REACH PENNSYLVANIA: 1658
38. COALE, JOSIAH. The Books and Divers Epistles of the Faithful Servant of the Lord Josiah Coale.... [London]: Printed in the year, 1671. 4to. 28, 33-104, 152, 269-343 [i.e., 344] p. Complete as issued. Contemporary calf, neatly rebacked and recornered, later (but old) endpapers. Modern bookplate. $3000.00
First edition. Pages 14 through 19 contain a testimony by William Penn, most likely written while Penn was in prison. The testimony expresses great love and admiration for Coale. Josiah Coale was one of Penn's intimate friends during Penn's first years as a Quaker. Coale had been one of the early missionaries to the New World and was likely the first Quaker to touch Pennsylvania soil in 1658 (Bronner & Fraser p. 131). The text, erratically paginated but complete and conforming to the other known copies, contains several different essays and testimonies, including "An Epistle to Friends in New-England," "To the Flock of God, Gather'd out of the World in the Province of Maryland," "To all People in Jamaica," &c. "The VVhore Unveiled" has a separate title page dated 1667. European Americana 671/82; Wing C4751; Bronner & Fraser (Penn) 13; Baer (Maryland) 68; JCB(3) III:215.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST FIVE ABOLITION CONVENTIONS
39. CONVENTION OF DELEGATES FROM THE ABOLITION SOCIETIES. Minutes of the Proceedings of a Convention of Delegates from the Abolition Societies Established in Different parts of the United States, Assembled at Philadelphia.... Philadelphia: Zachariah Poulson, Junr., 1794. 30 p. Accompanied by the proceedings of the second through fifth conventions (Philadelphia: Poulson, 1795-1798; 32, 32, 59, 20 p.). All removed. Final leaf of final pamphlet damaged in the margin, with the loss of several letters, else all fine copies. The five items, $3000.00
In January 1794 representatives from the major state abolition societies held their first convention in Philadelphia. Joseph Bloomfield was elected president. The printed minutes record the names of the individual delegates, the state societies they represent, and the proceedings of the convention. Each succeeding year a similar meeting was held in Philadelphia, and the proceedings of the first five conventions are offered here. The minutes of the fourth meeting contains a lengthy and detailed appendix of the activities of the local societies, with local laws relating to slaves and slavery. Evans 26533, 28146, 29947, 31686, 33264.
PRINCETON SERMON ON THE DEATH OF GEORGE II: 1761
40. DAVIES, SAMUEL. A Sermon Delivered at Nassau-Hall, January 14. 1761. On the Death of His Late Majesty King George II. To which is prefixed, A Brief Account of the Life, Character, and Death, of the Author. By David Bostwick. Boston: R. Draper; and Z. Fowle and S. Draper, [1761]. 32 p. incl. half title but lacks leaf C1. Modern half morocco (lightly rubbed at extremities). Early repair to blank corner of half title, some light staining. Private school library label on pastedown. $400.00
Reprinted from the earlier New York edition. Slightly defective, but a very early Princeton-related printed item. Evans 8836; Felcone, New Jersey Books, 63; ESTC W29134.
TRAVELS IN THE EASTERN U.S. AND CANADA
41. DE ROOS, FRED. FITZGERALD. Personal Narrative of Travels in the United States and Canada in 1826 ... With Remarks on the Present State of the American Navy. London, 1827. xii, 207 p. 14 plates (one folding). Contemporary half calf. Plates slightly foxed (chiefly in margins), else a fine, clean copy. $600.00
First edition. De Roos arrived at New York, then traveled south to Baltimore, then north again into New England, Niagara Falls, and then to Canada. He visited several shipyards, and comments on shipbuilding, maritime affairs, and the American Navy, whose strength he felt was exaggerated. The plates are views done from De Roos's own drawings, and are very handsome. The frontispiece is a long folding panorama of Quebec. Howes D268; Gagnon I 1104; Lande 1724; Abbey, Travel, 614.
STEPHEN DOUGLAS ON DRED SCOTT
42. DOUGLAS, STEPHEN A. Remarks of the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, on Kansas, Utah, and the Dred Scott Decision. Delivered at Springfield, Illinois, June 12th, 1857. Chicago: Daily Times, 1857. 15 p. Uncut, as issued. Extremities a bit chipped and soiled, some foxing, old fold marks. A good copy. $400.00
Douglas was invited by a federal grand jury to deliver remarks on "The present condition and prospects of Kansas; the principles affirmed ... in the Dred Scott case, and the condition of things in Utah, and the appropriate remedies for existing evils." This was Douglas's first public expression of his views on the Dred Scott decision. Byrd 2635; Flake 2985.
AMERICA FULFILLED THE CONTRACT
43. DUMMER, JEREMIAH. A Defence of the New-England Charters. London: J. Almon, [1765]. 88 p. Neat modern half cloth. Title with old library stamp, few edge chips, else a very nice copy. $500.00
Dummer's defense of the colonial charters was first published in 1721; it was reprinted several times, including this printing at the time of the Stamp Act. Basically, it argued that these charters were contractual in nature, and, once fulfilled by the colonists, they could not be abrogated by the Crown. Adams, American Controversy, 65-7; Howes D554.
BOUND BY AN 18TH-CENTURY AMERICAN MINISTER/BOOKBINDER
44. (EARLY AMERICAN BINDING). Schultz, Christoph. Kurze Fragen Ueber die Christiche Glaubens-Lehre ... Den Christlichen Glaubens-Schulern.... Philadelphia: Carl Cist, 1784. [10], 140 p. Contemporary sprinkled calf, blind roll and fillets on boards and spine, red sprinkled edges, by Christoph Hoffmann. A nice, tight copy. $900.00
A nicely preserved Hoffmann binding. Christoph Hoffmann (1727-1804) was a Schwenckfelder minister as well as an accomplished bookbinder who worked in Philadelphia County from the early 1760s. Bryn Mawr/Maser Collection 15; German Language Printing 610; Evans 18779.
TWO EARLY AND IMPORTANT ASSU WOOD BLOCKS, 1820s
45. (EARLY AMERICAN WOOD BLOCKS). Two wood blocks, 1820s, each containing the large device of the American Sunday School Union, accompanied by two ASSU books, 1827 and ca. 1827, each bearing one of the woodcuts on the title page. Four items, housed in a custom fitted clamshell box. Blocks in excellent condition, books worn at the cover extremities but very good. $2600.00
Founded in Philadelphia in 1824, the American Sunday School Union would go on to become the largest publisher of children's books in the nineteenth century. The organization's first device, used on the title pages of many of its earliest books, depicts a Peaceable Kingdom-like scene with several wild and domestic animals and a young boy sitting together under the rays of the sun. Atop the scene, within a curved ornamental background, are the words "Knowledge of the Lord." At the bottom, within a wavy banner, is "American Sunday School Union." Each cut is approximately 2 1/2 inches square. The first book is Anna Ross; A Story for Children (1827); the second book is The Improved Class-Book, for Sunday School Teachers' Minutes (n.d., but ca. 1827). Each contains the above device printed on the title page by the corresponding block. Ex coll. S. Robert Teitelman.
18TH-CENTURY MISSIONARY TO THE INDIANS
46. EDWARDS, JONATHAN. An Account of the Life of the Reverend Mr. David Brainerd, Minister of the Gospel; Missionary to the Indians ... and Pastor of a Church of Christian Indians in New-Jersey.... Worcester, Mass.: Leonard Worcester, 1793. 346, 84 p. Contemporary sheep. First and last few leaves pulled slightly and browned at the fore-edge tips, binding scuffed, head and tail of spine chipped away, hinges beginning to split, glue residue on pastedowns. Eighteenth-century signature of Eliphalet Gillet, later bookplate of a church library. A good copy. $450.00
Later edition of Edwards's classic biography, first printed in Boston in 1749. The second section is a reprint of Brainerd's Mirabilia Dei inter Indicos, first printed in Philadelphia in 1748. Edwards's work is one of the classic mid-eighteenth-century accounts of missionary life among the American Indians. David Brainerd (1718-1747) was a Connecticut native who was expelled from Yale in 1742 for, among other things, sympathizing with the Whitefield revival and remarking that a particular college tutor had "no more grace than this chair." After his ordination to the ministry, he served as a missionary to the Indians in the Massachusetts-New York border area and near present-day Easton, Pennsylvania, before going to New Jersey, where he remained until early 1747. He died later that year at the home of his future father-in-law, and biographer, Jonathan Edwards. Edwards' account consists chiefly of entries from Brainerd's diaries, with inserted comments and extracts from letters. The work was reprinted frequently and is still in print today. Evans 25431, 25228; Johnson, Jonathan Edwards, 143; Felcone, New Jersey Books, 71.
47. EDWARDS, JONATHAN. The History of the Work of Redemption. Containing the Outlines of a Body of Divinity.... New York: Shepard Kollock, 1786. xxiv, [2], [25]-402, [2] p. Contemporary mottled sheep. One leaf of contents misbound, occasional foxing, else a very attractive, tight copy. "Peter B. Dumont his Book Bought of Peter H. Dumont 1786 Price 11/3" on front endpaper. $400.00
With a preface by Jonathan Edwards, Jun. This copy contains the added leaf c5, "Subscribers' names omitted." Johnson 246; Evans 19616.
1800 NEW JERSEY JUVENILE
48. THE ENTERTAINING, MORAL AND RELIGIOUS REPOSITORY; Containing, Upwards of Three Score Separate Performances, all of which are Written in a Simple yet Pleasing Stile, and are Eminently Calculated for the Amusement and Instruction of the Youth of Both Sexes. Elizabeth-Town: Shepard Kollock, for C. Davis, New York, 1800. [2], 324 p. Contemporary undecorated sheep-backed marbled paper-covered boards (rubbed, corners worn). Usual light foxing. An unusually clean and tight copy. With an 1804 ownership signature of Jane Sears. $1500.00
A reissue of the second volume of Kollock's 1798 edition, with a new title leaf. Felcone, Printing in New Jersey, 1754-1800, 1088; Evans 37374; Welch 361.7; ESTC W31910.
1799 AMERICAN JUVENILE
49. THE ENTERTAINING, Moral, and Religious Repository; Containing, Upwards of Three Score Separate Performances, all of which are Written in a Simple yet Pleasing Stile, and are Eminently Calculated for the Amusement and Instruction of the Youth of Both Sexes. New York: By George Forman, for Cornelius Davis, 1799. [2], 396 p. Contemporary sheep, with a lovely red morocco owner's label on the front cover, "I. VanLiew | 1801." Small piece torn from top margin of H1 costing several letters in running head, moderate foxing, else a very good, tight copy. $900.00
In 1798 Elizabethtown's Shepard Kollock printed the Entertaining, Moral, and Religious Repository for New York publisher Cornelius Davis. The work--in two volumes but with each volume complete in itself--is a collection of about fifty moralistic tales and includes the first appearance in America of a number of the Cheap Repository tracts of Hannah More and others. The work sold well, and by 1799 Davis needed additional copies to keep the market supplied. New York printer George Forman reprinted volume 1, while Kollock continued to supply volume 2 until he, too, needed to reprint. Evans 35297; Welch, American Children's Books, 361.5; ESTC W31909.
AMERICAN POETRY, 1772
50. EVANS, NATHANIEL. Poems on Several Occasions, with some other Compositions. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1772. xxviii, 160, [3]-24 p. Contemporary calf, very skillfully rebacked in period style. The usual foxing, else the nicest copy of this book we have seen. Late 19th century book label of A. G. Odenbaugh. $750.00
First and only contemporary edition of the works of this early American poet who died at the age of 25. A native of Philadelphia and a resident of Haddonfield, New Jersey, Evans was an S.P.G. missionary for Gloucester County and a friend and correspondent of Elizabeth Graeme (later, Ferguson). Copies of the book often lack the list of subscribers, the ode on Evans' death by Elizabeth Graeme, and the 24-page discourse at the end, all of which are present in this copy. The errata slip, as always, is not present. Stoddard and Whitesell 221; Evans 12386; Felcone, New Jersey Books, 85; ESTC W28917.
LEADING AUTHORITY ON THE HISTORY OF FLORIDA
51. (FLORIDA). [Barcia Carballido y Zuniga, Andres Gonzales de]. Ensayo Cronologico para la Historia General de la Florida ... desde el Ao de 1512 ... hasta el de 1722 ... Escrito por don Gabriel de Cardenas z Cano [pseud.]. Madrid, 1723. Fol. [40], 366, [56] p. Folding table. Title in red and black. Contemporary limp vellum. Endpapers discolored and a bit wrinkled, very faint dampstain in the margin of the last several leaves, else a near fine, crisp copy. $2800.00
First edition. A chronological history from 1512 to 1722, and the leading authority on Florida's first two centuries. It includes a detailed account of French attempts to establish a colony, and the text of the memoir of Solis de las Meras, an eyewitness to the massacre of John Ribault and his companions. The work actually covers the early explorations of North America north of Mexico and east of the Pacific, including De Soto, La Salle, Cabeza de Vaca, and others. European Americana 723/10; Servies and Servies 291; Streeter Sale 1177; Howes B130; Wagner, Spanish Southwest, 84; Field 80; Graff 181.
MOST IMPORTANT SCIENTIFIC BOOK OF 18TH-CENTURY AMERICA
52. FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN. Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America ... To which are added, Letters and Papers on Philosophical Subjects.... London: For F. Newbery, 1774. 4to. v, [1], 514, [16] p. 7 engraved plates, several woodcut text illustrations. Lacks half-title. Contemporary marbled paper-covered boards, calf spine, very skillfully rebacked in period style. Later endpapers. Occasional foxing of both text and plates, some offsetting from a few plates, light stains on H3-4 and 2M3-4. Withal a very good copy. $8500.00
The fifth and final edition of the book that PMM calls "the most important scientific book of eighteenth-century America." "English editions one, two, and three had been published carelessly ... he edited the fourth edition in person [and] introduced footnotes ... Other notes corrected faults of early ignorance. In some cases the actual text was revised ... The most outstanding difference ... is of course in content."—I. Bernard Cohen, Benjamin Franklin's Experiments. In addition to the famous kite and key experiment, Franklin's work with Leiden jars, lightning rods, and charged clouds is summarized. The fifth edition is essentially a reprint of the fourth edition with several small corrections. PMM 199 (1st edn.); Wheeler Gift 367b; Ford 307; Howes F320 ("b").
PRINTED BY FRANKLIN
53. (FRANKLIN PRINTING). Law, William. An Extract from a Treatise ... called, The Spirit of Prayer; or, The Soul Rising out of the Vanity of Time, into the Riches of Eternity.... Philadelphia: B. Franklin, and D. Hall, 1760. 47 p. Removed from a bound volume. Large dampstain on first several leaves, leaf C3 with a piece torn from the outer margin costing several letters. $500.00
First American edition. Evans 8633; Miller 731.
FIRST AMERICAN EDITION OF THE CONSTITUTIONS OF FREEMASONRY
54. FREEMASONS. GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA. Ahiman Rezon Abridged and Digested: as a Help to All that Are, or Would be Free and Accepted Masons. To which is added, A Sermon ... by William Smith, D. D. Philadelphia: Hall and Sellers, 1783. xvi, 166 p. Engraved frontis. Contemporary sheep, skillfully rebacked in period style. Some overall soiling and dampstaining, free endpaper and frontis. browned at the edges and neatly guarded. Small early ownership stamp of I. Morrell on first two leaves. A good copy. $1800.00
The first American edition of the Constitutions of the Antients, originally published by Laurence Dermott in London in 1756. The elaborate frontispiece of the Mason's arms was engraved by Robert Scot and printed by Kinnan & Leacock. The book is dedicated to George Washington. A cornerstone book in Freemasonry in America, and very difficult to find in good condition. Most copies are incomplete and heavily worn; this copy, though not a great beauty, is complete and relatively attractive. Evans 17915; Bristol B5800; Walgren 74; Lowens 34; ESTC W37160.
55. FRIENDS, SOCIETY OF. Two Epistles, Taken out of G. Fox's Collection of Epistles, Recommended by this Yearly-Meeting, 1716. [London? 1716?]. 2 p., folio (broadsheet, printed on both sides). Two marginal splits neatly repaired, else fine. $400.00
Both sides of the sheet are paginated, and "FINIS" appears at the foot of the verso. The sheet was originally folded three times horizontally, and at the top of the docket-folded sheet, in an early eighteenth century hand, is "G: ff: Epistles Recomended from ye yearly Meeting 1716." In pencil at the foot of the verso, in a turn-of-this-century hand, is "(Printed 1716 in Phila by Andrew Bradford)." Despite this attribution, it is far more likely that the item was printed in London. The only recorded copy in America is in DLC, bound into a volume of broadsides printed in London and York, and originally from the library of a man residing in York.
ESTABLISHING THE COLONY OF GEORGIA IN AMERICA: 1736
56. (GEORGIA). Watts, George. A Sermon Preached before the Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America; at their Anniversary Meeting in ... London ... March 18. 1735. London: By M. Downing, 1736. 4to. 27 p. A remarkably fine, fresh copy, entirely untrimmed, in nineteenth-century quarter roan (broken). $1800.00
Watts explains that a colony in Georgia would represent the colonial ideal--a place that would benefit both the mother country and the residents. "... who can forbear imagining that he sees (and indeed who may not live to see?) the desolate, shut-up wilderness, where nothing but waste and savageness once reign'd, now laid out into a regular country, adorn'd with numberless cities and villages of fair structure, and beautiful situation, frequented ports, encreasing stocks, and flourishing vineyards, the heavens smiling upon it from above, and the inhabitants chearful, numerous, and busy here below?" European Americana 736/264; Sabin 102173; ESTC T9617.
GIBBONS' EXTRAORDINARY HANDBILL CHALLENGING ODGEN TO A DUEL
57. (GIBBONS v. OGDEN). To Col. Aaron Ogden, Sir, As you refused to receive a letter that I sent you by General Dayton yesterday, I will give it publicity through another channel. For like Nicanor upon Judas you made war upon me on the Sabbath Day .... I was this day arrested in a Suit at Law, in your name .... As we reside within half a mile of each other, and you never intimated to me, nor any of my friends, any claims, or cause of Action against me, I pronounce your conduct RASCALLY. I don't regard your Suit in terrorem, but I must teach you to proceed with decency .... I understand that you have interfered in a Dispute between Mrs. Gibbons and myself which has been brought on by John Trumbull .... My friend General Dayton will arrange with you the time, and place, of our Meeting. Th. Gibbons. Elizabeth-Town, 26th July, 1816. [Elizabethtown, N.J., 1816.] Broadside. 28 x 24 cm. In very fine condition, fully untrimmed. $4500.00
The steamboat in New Jersey and New York had a long and litigious history, beginning with the controversies between John Fitch and Robert Fulton, through the granting by the state legislatures in 1808 of exclusive navigation privileges, to the landmark United States Supreme Court decision in Gibbons v. Ogden in 1824. Thomas Gibbons and Aaron Ogden were originally partners in a steam ferry operating between Elizabeth-Town Point and New York City. In 1814 a dispute arose over a lease renewal. Soon other arguments ensued, and Gibbons established a rival ferry. The two became bitter antagonists. Meanwhile, Gibbons was embroiled in a nasty domestic quarrel involving John Trumbull, who had seduced Gibbons' daughter before marrying her, and each side publicly circulated the foulest stories about the other. Ogden's legal advice was solicited by the Trumbull faction, and Gibbons, in a rage, had this handbill struck off, and, horsewhip in hand, went to Ogden's house to challenge him to a duel. Ogden escaped over the back fence, and immediately sued Gibbons for trespass. The details of the case are reported in 2 Southard, 598. Gibbons' rival steamboat, with young Cornelius Vanderbilt as captain, continued to challenge Ogden and the monopoly interests. With Daniel Webster and William Wirt as his attorneys, Gibbons finally appealed to the Supreme Court, and in one of the most famous decisions in American Constitutional law, Chief Justice Marshall ruled that navigation was commerce and Congress had the power to regulate interstate commerce. The steamboat monopoly was struck down. This is one of the most dramatic broadsides we have handled.
FIRST AMERICAN EDITION, IN A LOVELY CONTEMPORARY BINDING
58. GODWIN, WILLIAM. Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, and its Influence on Morals and Happiness. Philadelphia: Bioren and Madan, 1796. 2 vols., 12mo. xvi, [1], 22-362 p.; viii, 400 p. Contemporary mottled sheep, spines with red title labels and dark green volume-number labels with gilt ovals. Quarter-sized piece torn from one front endpaper, one gathering slightly pulled, occasional very light scattered foxing, but a fine, clean copy in lovely period bindings. Quite unusual in this condition. $2600.00
First American edition of Godwin's most famous work. Originally published in 1793 and revised in 1796, the Enquiry "was one of the earliest, the clearest, and most absolute theoretical expressions of socialist and anarchist doctrines. Godwin believed that the motives of all human action were subject to reason, that reason taught benevolence, and that therefore all rational creatures could live in harmony without laws and institutions...." (PMM 243) Evans 30493.
A LOVELY GORDON, WITH THE MAP
59. GORDON, THOMAS F. The History of New Jersey, from its Discovery by Europeans, to the Adoption of the Federal Constitution. Trenton, 1834. xii, 339 p. [Bound with:] A Gazetteer of the State of New Jersey, Comprehending a General View of its Physical and Moral Condition, Together with a Topographical and Statistical Account of its Counties, Towns, Villages, Canals, Rail Roads, &c.... Trenton, 1834. iv, 266 p. Handcolored folding map (very skillfully and unobtrusively repaired on the verso). Contemporary sheep (light scuffs at the extremities but very tight). Text foxed, as with all copies of this book. A very desirable copy. $550.00
The second history of New Jersey, bound with, as issued, the first gazetteer of the state. The latter is an essential reference tool for locating early towns and communities, and it remained the only gazetteer of New Jersey for almost fifty years. This is one of the cornerstone New Jersey books, and copies are usually found without the map and in dry, lifeless bindings. This copy is unusually nice and tight. For a lengthy study of this important book, see Felcone, New Jersey Books, 726-727.
FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH
60. HENNEPIN, LOUIS. A New Discovery of a Vast Country in America, Extending above Four Thousand Miles, between New France and New Mexico.... London: For M. Bentley, J. Tonson [&c.], 1698. [22], 243, [33], 228 p. Engraved fore-title, 5 (of 6) folding plates. Lacking the two maps and one plate. Contemporary calf, early rebacking (hinges and corners worn). Text dampstained. Thus, $2200.00
First edition in English, the "Tonson" issue. An imperfect copy, lacking the two maps and one plate, of one of the classic accounts of American exploration. Howes H416; European Americana 698/100; Wing H1451.
REPLY TO RICHARD PRICE
61. HEY, RICHARD. Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, and the Principles of Government. London: For T. Cadell; and T. and J. Merrill, 1776. [4], 70 p. Lacks half title. Neat modern boards. Morocco-backed folding box. Near fine. $850.00
First edition. A reply to Richard Price's Observations, published several months earlier. Adams, American Controversy, 76-22; Howes H-459.
LONGEVITY EXAMINED
62. HOFFMAN, CHRISTIAN. Longevity: Being an Account of Various Persons, who have Lived to an Extraordinary Age, with Several Curious Particulars Respecting their Lives.... New York: Jacob S. Mott, 1798. 120 p. Contemporary mottled sheep. Covers worn and hinges glued; very good internally. $450.00
First edition. Accounts of those who have lived to a great age, largely extracted from periodicals and newspapers. Includes several Americans. Hoffman was a New Yorker. Evans 33887.
MID-EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY WOMAN PREACHER
63. HUME, SOPHIA. An Exhortation to the Inhabitants of the Province of South-Carolina, to Bring their Deeds to the Light of Christ, in their own Consciences .... Dublin: Isaac Jackson, 1754. 164, [4], 52 p. Contemporary sheep (spine worn, hinges cracked but held by cords), old library label. $450.00
Sophia Hume was a native of South Carolina. After an absence of several years, she returned to that province as a preacher of the Society of Friends. This work is a defense of her religious beliefs. Its first printing was paid for by a subscription of the Philadelphia Meeting of Friends. The work is signed in type at the end: "Charles-Town, in South-Carolina, the 30th, of the Tenth Month, 1747." Bound with Some Memoirs of the Life of John Roberts (Dublin, 1754).
64. IRVING, WASHINGTON. A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus. New York: G. & C. Carvill, 1828. 3 vols. xvi, 399 p.; 367 p.; viii, [1], 14-420 p. Lacks folding map. Later half morocco. Two small ownership stamps in each volume, else internally fine and fresh, in a simple half morocco binding with the name of Chas. C. Allen in gilt at the foot of each spine. $400.00
First American edition, and Irving's first major historical work. Lacking the map, and priced accordingly. BAL 10124.
INSCRIBED BY WASHINGTON IRVING
65. IRVING, WASHINGTON. The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus. New York: N. and J. White, 1834. 4, 218 p. Plates. Contemporary straight-grain morocco, title with a gilt box on the front cover, marbled endpapers and edges. Foxing, hinges cracking very slightly but quite secure. $2600.00
A presentation copy of Irving's abridged edition, inscribed in pencil on the front flyleaf: "Mary L. Rhinelander from Washington Irving." Irving inscriptions are uncommon.
JEFFERSON'S NOTES ON VIRGINIA
66. JEFFERSON, THOMAS. Notes on the State of Virginia. London: For John Stockdale, 1787. [4], 382 p. Large folding map hand colored in outline, folding table. Modern antique-style calf, very skillfully rebound in exact style of the original binding and retaining the original spine label. Gutter and top of title leaf soiled and darkened, second leaf lightly soiled and verso with offsetting from the adjacent map, else a very attractive copy with almost no foxing. The map has one neat and very early short repaired tear on the verso else is clean and largely free of foxing and offsetting. $28,000.00
First English edition of one of Jefferson's most important printed works. Largely written in 1781 and first published in Paris, in French, in 1785, this London edition is the book's first appearance in English. The very handsome map, engraved by Samuel J. Neele, is based on the Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson map of Virginia and, like that map, depicts parts of the surrounding states. The evolution of Jefferson's text, and its publication history, is told in considerable detail in Millicent Sowerby's catalogue of Jefferson's library. Howes J78; Clark I, 262; ESTC T147402.
1795 ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF AMERICA, IN FINE CONDITION
67. [JOHNSON, RICHARD]. The History of North America. Containing a Review of the Customs and Manners of the Inhabitants; the First Settlement of the British Colonies, their Rise and Progress ... to the Time of their Becoming United, Free and Independent States. By the Rev. Mr. Cooper [pseud.]. Lansingburgh: Silvester Tiffany, for Thomas Spencer, Albany, 1795. 12mo. [8], 159 p. 6 engraved plates. Contemporary sprinkled sheep. Front hinge a bit scuffed, else a fine copy. $2200.00
Second American edition of a delightfully illustrated text for adolescents, in remarkably fine, original condition. While early cataloguers went to great lengths to identify the Reverend Mr. Cooper, and assigned him various given names, he was in reality Richard Johnson (1733 or 4-1793) and he wrote the text for Elizabeth Newbery, who published the first edition in 1789. See M.J.P. Weedon, "Richard Johnson and the Successors to John Newbery," The Library (1949), pp. 25-63. Anthony Haswell, in Bennington, Vermont, printed the first American edition in 1793 for Albany bookseller Thomas Spencer, who also published this second American edition. There were several later American editions, nearly all unillustrated. The illustrations in this edition are crude but wonderfully charming copperplate engravings. The frontispiece, "America Trampling on Oppression," depicts Liberty, a cornucopia at her feet, flanked by pedestals surmounted by profiles of Franklin and Washington. The other engravings are: "Americans Throwing the Cargoes of the Tea Ships into the River at Boston"; "Battle of Bunkers Hill"; "Death of Genl. Montgomery"; "Destruction of the Randolph Frigate"; and "Defeat of DeGrasse." It is quite rare to find an eighteenth-century illustrated American children's book in such fresh original condition. Evans 28480; Rosenbach, Early American Children's Books, 188; Howes C761.
EARLY AMERICAN BOOKBINDER AS PUBLISHER: 1805
68. [JOHNSON, RICHARD]. The History of North America; containing a Review of the Customs and Manners of the Original Inhabitants; the First Settlement of the British Colonies; and their Rise and Progress ... to the Time of their Becoming United, Free and Independent States. By the Rev. Mr. Cooper [pseud.]. Printed for Samuel Shaw, bookbinder, Lansingburgh, by Charles R. & George Webster, Albany, [1805]. 12mo. 204 p. Contemporary sheep, spine with gilt fillets but otherwise undecorated. Corner torn from E2, with loss of text, both endpapers torn, some soiling and foxing, but a very tight copy. $1000.00
Early American adolescent text, published by a Lansingburgh, New York, bookbinder, whose advertisement appears on the verso of the half title, along with an advertisement by the printer. The appendix contains the full text of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. While early cataloguers went to great lengths to identify the Reverend Mr. Cooper, and assigned him various given names, he was in reality Richard Johnson (1733 or 4-1793) and he wrote the text for Elizabeth Newbery, who published the first edition in 1789. See M.J.P. Weedon, "Richard Johnson and the Successors to John Newbery," The Library (1949), pp. 25-63. Some copies of Shaw's edition, presumably those issued later, contain a leaf of additional subscribers' names, printed in a different type and tipped in following leaf [A]3. S&S 8252; Howes C761, Matyas, Declaration of Independence: A Checklist, 05-01.
LA SALLE'S EXPEDITION TO THE MISSISSIPPI
69. JOUTEL, HENRI. A Journal of the Last Voyage Perform'd by Monsr. de la Sale, to the Gulph of Mexico, to Find Out the Mouth of the Missisipi River.... London: For A. Bell, B. Lintott, and J. Baker, 1714. 8vo. [2], xxi, [9], 191, 194-205, [5] p. Engraved folding map (short closed tear). Contemporary calf. Extremities rubbed, top of spine a bit worn, else a lovely untouched copy, the text clean and fresh and entirely unfoxed. Peter A. Porter bookplate and Wolfgang Herz label. $15,000.00
First edition in English; originally published in Paris the previous year. The map is entitled "A New Map of the Country of Louisiana and of Ye River Missisipi in North America..." and depicts the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, parts of Texas, and the eastern coast of America. In the upper corner is a lovely vignette of Niagara Falls. Joutel's journal is one of the best accounts of La Salle's ill-fated expedition to establish a settlement at the mouth of the Mississippi River and the short-lived colony in Texas which the party used for two years as a base for further exploration. La Salle was eventually assassinated by some of his own men, and Joutel and others succeeded in returning to Canada. European Americana 714/40; Church 859; Howes J-266(b); Wagner, Spanish Southwest, 79b; Streeter Sale 112.
18TH-CENTURY AMERICAN CHILDREN'S BOOK
70. (JUVENILE). [Day, Thomas]. The History of Sandford and Merton. A Work Intended for the Use of Children. Whitehall: Printed for William Young, Philadelphia, 1798. 12mo. 3 vols. in 1. 8, [1], 14-470, [3], 472-697, [1] p. Contemporary sheep (front hinge split, rear beginning to crack). Gathering G foxed, scattered foxing elsewhere, small piece torn from blank margin of 2P5, just touching a letter or two. Contemporary signature of John Hough. 900.00
"Seventh edition." An important work in the development of the moral tale, reprinted frequently. This edition is quite scarce and is not recorded in Evans or Bristol. Welch 269.5. ESTC records copies in CtY, FU, and MWA.
LARGE-FORMAT KOLLNER CHILDREN'S BOOK
71. (JUVENILE--KOLLNER ILLUSTRATIONS). Country Sights for City Eyes. Philadelphia: American Sunday School Union, 1122 Chestnut St., [not before 1858]. Obl. 4to. (9 x 12 in.) 12 pages of text and 12 full-page lithographed plates by Augustus Kollner of charming country scenes. Illustrated lithographed wrappers by Kollner. Quarter-sized hole in front wrapper and front flyleaf skillfully repaired, small skillful repair at spine, else a remarkably fresh, near-fine copy. In a cloth clamshell box with leather label (unevenly faded). Ex coll. S. Robert Teitelman. $4800.00
The handful of large-format children's books designed and illustrated by Augustus Kollner and published by the American Sunday School Union are among the rarest and most desirable of mid-nineteenth-century American children's books. Few have survived intact. Nicholas Wainwright, in his 1960 study of Kollner, says: "These books, with their delightful everyday scenes, were so popular that few have survived the hands of the children for whom they were designed. As a group, they constitute one of Kollner's most attractive and important efforts." The American Sunday School Union was first located at 1122 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia in 1857, and Country Sights for City Eyes first appeared in an ASSU catalogue in 1858 and continued to be listed for the next thirty-plus years.
CURRIER & IVES COLORED LITHOGRAPH OF PHILIP KEARNY
72. (KEARNY, PHILIP). Hand colored lithograph, General Philip Kearney. New York: Currier & Ives, [n.d., but 1862-63]. Image 12 7/8 x 9 in. plus min. 3/4 in. margins on all four sides. Very faint dampstaining in lower margin, mat burn toning on verso but not visible on recto. A very nice copy with good wide margins. $600.00
Hand colored Currier & Ives lithograph depicting the one-armed Kearny, mounted on his white horse, at the front of his troops, battle rubble on the ground. Kearny was killed at Chantilly, Virginia, in September 1862. The print's four-line title concludes: ". . . Of all the gallant Officers that have fallen, none will be more deeply lamented by his companions in arms than 'Brave Phil Kearney.' 'Who can replace Phil Kearney.'" Gale 2455.
73. KINNE, AARON. A New-Year's Gift, Presented Especially to the Young People in the First Society of Groton, January 1, 1788. And now made Public at their Request. New London: T. Green, 1788. 16 p. Removed. Title a trifle dark, light foxing, but very good. $450.00
Evans 21189; Johnson 1203.
THE ELABORATE THWAITES EDITION: ONE OF 200 COPIES
74. (LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION). Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 ... Edited, with Introduction, Notes, and Index, by Reuben Gold Thwaites. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1904. Large quarto. 7 vols. extended to 14, plus atlas volume. With a profusion of plates, facsimiles, folding maps, &c. Green cloth. Bindings moderately worn at the extremities, cloth lightly discolored as usual, but a very good set, with the text largely unopened. $8,000.00
One of 200 numbered copies on Van Gelder handmade paper. The elaborate Thwaites edition, incorporating the original manuscript journals owned by the American Philosophical Society together with notebooks, letters, maps, and other primary source material including the journals of Charles Floyd and Joseph Whitehouse. With a chronological bibliography of printed Lewis-and-Clarkiana by Victor Hugo Paltsits. A very good copy of a work usually found in very worn and faded bindings. Howes L-320 ("c").
ROBERT THE HERMIT
75. LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF ROBERT, the Hermit of Massachusetts, who has Lived 14 years in a Cave, Secluded from Human Society .... Taken from his own Mouth, and Published for his Benefit. Providence: H. Trumbull, 1829. 36 p. incl. frontis. Stitched in contemporary plain wrappers. Some browning and soiling, else very nice. $450.00
One of two slightly varying editions of a cheap, sensational narrative based upon a real hermit, but considerably fictionalized. According to the narrative, Robert was born a slave in Princeton. His mother was a black slave in bondage, his father "a pure white blooded Englishman ... a gentleman of considerable eminence." He was carried South, escaped from slavery, made several voyages, and spent the remainder of his life in a cave near Providence, Rhode Island. For a very detailed study of the publication history of pamphlet, the fact versus the fiction, the identification of the real author, and the part played by the enterprising Henry Trumbull, see Felcone, New Jersey Books, 836-837. Shoemaker 40690.
LIVINGTON EULOGY ON AARON BURR: 1758
76. LIVINGSTON, WILLIAM. A Funeral Elogium on the Reverend Mr. Aaron Burr, Late President of the College of New-Jersey. New York, Printed; Boston: Re-Printed by Green and Russell, for J. Winter, 1758. 4to. 23 p. Removed from a bound volume. Name torn from upper blank margin of title page, a few edge chips and minor dog-earing, but very good. Simple board clemise and slipcase. $900.00
First printed in New York in 1757. Livingston would later become the Revolutionary War governor of New Jersey. Burr was the second president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton) and the father of the future vice president. Evans 8162; Felcone, New Jersey Books, 131; ESTC W20351.
RARE WILLIAM LIVINGSTON POEM PRINTED IN TRENTON
77. [LIVINGSTON, WILLIAM]. Philosophic Solitude; or The Choice of a Rural Life: A Poem. By a Young Gentleman Educated at Yale College. Trenton: Isaac Collins, 1782. 28 p. Stitched and untrimmed, as issued. Persistent dampstaining throughout, one fore-edge margin a bit ragged costing a few letters, but a good copy, and a remarkable survival in as-issued state. $800.00
Livingston's anonymously published paean to the rural life, first printed in New York in 1747. This is the only New Jersey edition, printed while Livingston was the Revolutionary War governor of New Jersey. This is also the only known untrimmed copy. Evans 17575; Felcone, Printing in New Jersey, 1754-1800, 356; Stoddard and Whitesell 323; ESTC W27625.
TRAVELS AMONG THE CANADIAN INDIANS
78. LONG, JOHN. Voyages chez Différentes Nations Sauvages de L'Amérique Septentrionale.... Paris: Chez Prault, Fuchs, [1794]. [4], xxxvi, 320 p. Folding map. Modern half calf. A fine, fresh copy. $900.00
First French edition of Long's Voyages and Travels of an Indian Interpreter and Trader, originally published in London in 1791. Long was an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company and spent nearly twenty years traveling extensively and living among among the Canadian Indians. He describes candidly and in considerable detail their customs, manners, and domestic life. The map depicts southern Canada from the Great Lakes north to James Bay and from the Mississippi east to the St. Lawrence. Howes L443; Lande 544; Gagnon I 2144; TPL 4759; Sabin 41879.
MACKENZIE'S VOYAGES
79. MACKENZIE, ALEXANDER. Voyages from Montreal, on the River St. Laurence, through the Continent of North-America, to the Frozen and Pacific Oceans: in the Years 1789 and 1793.... New York: Evert Duyckinck; Lewis Nichols, printer, 1803. 12mo. 437 p. Large folding map. Contemporary mottled sheep, rebacked (neatly but in slightly different leather, new endpapers) retaining original spine label. Map neatly backed in blue paper at a very early date. A good-plus copy. Early signatures of Charles Fox and D. C. Colesworthy. $800.00
Third American edition of the classic account of Mackenzie's crossing of the North American continent--the first such crossing north of Mexico by a European. Includes an extended account of the fur trade. Howes M-133; Wagner-Camp 1:9; S&S 4572.
FIRST ISSUE OF MACLURE'S NEW HARMONY OPINIONS
80. MACLURE, WILLIAM. Opinions on Various Subjects, Dedicated to the Industrious Producers. New-Harmony, Indiana: School Press, 1831. 2 vols. in 1. [4], 480 p; [481]-592 p. Contemporary mottled sheep. Two-inch piece torn from lower corner of second leaf of text, with loss of several words, foxing varying from heavy to moderate, else a very tight copy. $1000.00
First edition, first issue, of the first volume of Maclure's Opinions, printed at the former Robert Owen community in New Harmony, Indiana. Two later volumes came out in 1837 and 1838, in conjunction with later issues of this first volume. Each work was complete in itself, and "sets" are almost never found. Opinions consists of Maclure's correspondence with his New Harmony friends on topics including politics, economy, society, education, reform, government, ideal communities, etc. The first issue, particularly in a fine contemporary binding, is very scarce; the Streeter copy was a later issue, as are most of the copies seen in the trade. Streeter sale 4241; Howes M162; Byrd & Peckham 445.
81. MALLES DE BEAULIEU, MME. The Modern Crusoe. A Narrative of the Life and Adventures of a French Cabin Boy, who was Shipwrecked on an Uninhabited Island. Boston: James Loring, 1827. 12mo. 217 p. Frontis. Contemporary sheep-backed printed boards (front cover detached). $450.00
First American edition. A translation into English of a popular juvenile Crusoe knockoff, Le Robinson de Douze Ans, first published in Paris in 1818. Shoemaker 29612; Rosenbach 696.
LUTHERAN HYMNBOOK IN COLONIAL AMERICA
82. MARBURGER GESANGBUCH. Vollständiges Marburger Gesang-Buch, zur Uebung der Gottseligkeit ... Hrn. D. Martin Luthers.... Germantown [Pa.]: Christoph Saur, 1770. 12mo. [14], 490, [15], 13, 72, 72-72, [1] p. incl. relief port. of Martin Luther. Contemporary sheep, blind two-line fillet around covers and spine cords, brass hinges (straps gone). Binding scuffed, particularly along extremities, but very tight. Internally very clean, one leaf loose. Several Taylor family inscriptions on the binder's blanks, including one in German and English. $450.00
The fourth American edition of the first Lutheran Marburg hymnbook printed in North America. Evans 11714; German Language Printing in the United States 384; ESTC W21006.
SESSION LAWS OF MARYLAND, 1785-1786
83. MARYLAND. LAWS. Laws of Maryland, Made and Passed at a Session of Assembly, Begun ... the Seventh of November ... [1785]. Annapolis: Frederick Green, [1786]. Folio. [152] p. Later cloth-backed boards (very faint embossed stamp on each cover). $450.00
Laws passed November 1785-March 1786. Wheeler, Maryland, 408; Evans 19770.
LAWS OF MARYLAND, 1765-1784
84. MARYLAND. LAWS. Laws of Maryland, Made Since M,DCC,LXIII.... Annapolis: Frederick Green, 1787. Folio. [457] p. Modern calf-backed marbled boards, very skillfully executed in period style. Margin of title darkened from leather turn-ins, else a very good, attractive copy. $1500.00
Laws of Maryland passed 1765 through 1784, including many Revolutionary War laws. Evans 20483; Wheeler, Maryland, 435; Tower 129.
MASSACHUSETTS SESSION LAWS 1692-1726
85. MASSACHUSETTS. LAWS. Acts and Laws, of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England. [Bound following:] The Charter Granted ... to the Inhabitants of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England. Boston: B. Green, for Benjamin Eliot, 1726. Folio. [2], 14, [2], 347, [1], 17 p. Contemporary panelled sheep, the panel formed in blind by a two-line fillet enclosing a single ornamental roll with an ornament stamped diagonally at each corner, the whole enclosed within a blind two-line fillet around the perimeter of the covers, spine undecorated. The title page of the Charter is mounted and with the upper three lines and upper part of the border in early pen facsimile, F3 with a tear at inner margin (no loss), few short marginal tears, free endpapers wanting, otherwise very good and clean. The period binding is well worn and chipped at the extremities, there is an early library blindstamp in the upper corner of each cover, and the front hinge is split but the cover is very solidly held by the cords. Several signatures of Elkanah Leonard, the earliest dated 1727. $3000.00
The session laws of Massachusetts passed between 1692 and 1726, as issued with the charter of the province, in a period binding. Cushing, Massachusetts Laws, 343, 344; Evans 2762.
BOUND VOLUME OF NINETEEN PAMPHLET LAWS, 1779-1785
86. MASSACHUSETTS. LAWS. Bound volume of nineteen Massachusetts pamphlet session laws passed between April 14, 1779, and July 2, 1785. Boston: Benjamin Edes & Comp'y / Benjamin Edes & Sons / Adams & Nourse, 1779-1785. Folio. Caption titles, as issued, generally with printer's imprint in a colophon. Modern calf-backed marbled boards, very skillfully executed in period style. Varying paper stocks, as expected, a few of which are foxed, else in fine condition, as described below. $1800.00
Contains numerous laws relating to the Revolutionary War. Eighteenth-century pamphlet session laws are very rare in the trade, as they were normally discarded once the next compiled laws was published, and those that survived have long since gone into institutions. Evans 16344, 16345, 16346 (both sessions), 16837 (both sessions, first lacks 4G2 and second 4M2), 17213, 17214, 17215, 17589, 17590, 17591, 17592 (lacks table at end), 18022, 18588, 18589, 18590, 19078, 19079; Cushing, Massachusetts Laws, 1065, 1068, 1082, 1090, 1099, 1110.
THE GREATEST AMERICAN CONTRIBUTION TO MEDICAL SCIENCE
87. (MEDICINE). Beaumont, William. Experiments and Observations on the Gastric Juice, and the Physiology of Digestion. Plattsburgh [N.Y.]: Printed by F. P. Allen, 1833. 8vo. 280 p. 3 woodcut illustrations. Original tan paper-covered boards, purple-brown linen spine. Rebacked, retaining 95% of the original spine but largely obscuring the original printed paper spine label. Gathering 2L browned, as always, the usual scattered foxing, else a very good copy of a fragile book. $3000.00
First edition of perhaps the greatest American contribution to medical science. Alexis St. Martin, a French Canadian trapper, had sustained a severe gunshot wound of the abdomen. To keep the stomach's contents from spilling out, Beaumont initially capped it over with compresses. But as healing progressed, the stomach lining hypertrophied and grew some extra thickness at the opening, so that, by pouting outwards, or prolapsing, it acted as a partial stopper (as shown in the detail of plate III). The remainder of the closure was maintained by the natural muscular elasticity of the stomach walls. As a result, the stomach opening could be manipulated, the pouting-out mucosa compressed or moved aside or pushed inwards, and, for the first time in medical history, Beaumont could actually observe the processes of human digestion. In several years of studying St. Martin, Beaumont established the chemical nature of digestion, recorded the comparative rates of dissolution of foods, and noted the effects of emotions on gastric secretion. All of these observations were the basis of Pavlov's experiments a century later. Beaumont had his studies printed by a country printer in Plattsburgh, New York, a town where he had once practiced medicine. The book was neither elegant nor well-bound, and copies that have survived in good condition are rare. Grolier American One Hundred, 38 ("a book that pushed back the frontier of the mind"—preface); Grolier, Medicine, 61; Howes B-291 ("Most important American contribution to medical science"); Wellcome II p. 123; Garrison-Morton 989; Grolier/Horblit 10; Dibner, Heralds of Science, 130; Norman 152; Cordasco 30-0056.
MAD DOGS AND AMERICAN MEDICINE
88. (MEDICINE) Thacher, James. Observations on Hydrophobia, Produced by the Bite of a Mad Dog, or other Rabid Animal.... Plymouth, Mass.: Joseph Avery, 1812. 301, [1] p. Hand-colored plate. Contemporary mottled sheep. Foxed (as this book always is), but a very attractive copy, the binding being particularly nice. $500.00
First edition. Thacher advocated the use of the plant "skull-cap" to cure hydrophobia, and the plate is a hand-colored depiction of the plant. The cure, however, eventually proved to be unsuccessful. Austin 1880; Cushing T40; Waller 4089; Heirs of Hippocrates 700.
MARDI
89. MELVILLE, HERMAN. Mardi: and A Voyage Thither. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1849. 2 vols. 365 p.; [5], x-xii, [1], 10-387, [1], 8 p. Original purple cloth, stamped in blind. Spines faded and largely chipped off at ends. Endpapers discolored, scattered foxing, as usual with this book. A contemporary signature across the title page of vol. 1 has bled, leaving a rather unattractive stain. Modern slipcase. Withal, a good copy. $750.00
First American edition of Melville's third book. BAL 13658.
A CLASSIC OF AMERICAN NATURAL HISTORY, WITH 277 HANDCOLORED PLATES
90. MICHAUX, FRANÇOIS A. The North American Sylva; or, A Description of the Forest Trees of the United States, Canada, and Nova Scotia ... [with:] THOMAS NUTTALL. The North American Sylva ... Philadelphia, 1857. 5 vols. 277 handcolored plates. Bound in contemporary ornately blindstamped full dark brown morocco, spines lettered in gold, all edges gilt. Light to moderate foxing on some plates, very light rubbing to the extremities of the binding. A very attractive set. $6500.00
A classic of American natural history. Though originally published as separate works, with Nuttall's being a continuation of that of Michaux, the two works were combined in one edition in 1851, and reissued several times thereafter. The beautiful color plates, many of which are after Redouté, were engraved in France for Michaux, while Nuttall used the more modern method of lithography. The Michaux contains 156 handcolored plates, and the Nuttall contains 121 handcolored plates. The plates depict the leaves, nuts, and flowers and berries of trees throughout the continental United States and Canada. Sabin commented: "Of the two works united, it is no exaggeration to remark that it is the most complete work of its kind, and is a production of unrivalled interest and beauty, giving descriptions and illustrations of all the forest trees of North America...." Sabin 48695, 56351.
91. MILFORT, LE CLERC. Mémoire ou Coup-D'Oeil Rapide sur mes Différens Voyages et mon Séjour dans la Nation Creck.... Paris, 1802. [2], 324 [of 332] p. Uncut, in early marbled wrappers. An imperfect copy, lacking the last four leaves and with the half title clipped and mounted to the front wrapper. Sadly, it is otherwise a lovely, fresh copy. In a neat portfolio and slipcase. $750.00
First edition. An imperfect copy. The narrative of a rather extraordinary French adventurer in the Mississippi Valley and among the Upper Creek Indians in the 1770s and 1780s. Amid hyperbole and possibly some fabrication, we find a fascinating description of the region and its inhabitants. Monaghan, after calling Milfort a liar, states "his book is one of the most interesting and curious books of French travel in America in the eighteenth century." Howes M599 ("b"); Streeter Sale 1529; Monaghan 1073; Servies & Servies 761; Graff 2792; Field 1065.
THE SECOND AMERICAN BOOK OF ROAD MAPS
92. MOORE, JOSHUA J., and THOMAS W. JONES. The Traveller's Directory: or, a Pocket Companion, Shewing the Course of the Main Road from Philadelphia to New York; and from Philadelphia to Washington: With Descriptions of the Places through which it Passes, and the Intersections of the Cross Roads ... By S. S. [sic] Moore and T. W. Jones. Philadelphia: Mathew Carey, 1804. 8vo. [4], 37, [1], 19 [i.e., 17] p. 38 engraved strip maps on 22 plates. Modern full calf, correctly done in perfect period style with original spine label (slightly chipped at edges) remounted and original endsheets relaid. Front free endsheet chipped at fore-edge, name clipped from top blank margin of title page, intermittant light browning of text and foxing of maps, as is usual with this book. A very good copy of a book never found in fine condition. $8500.00
Second edition of the second American book of road maps, following Christopher Colles' exceedingly rare Survey of the Roads of the United States (1789), and the first road map book to provide detailed maps of the road from Philadelphia north through New Jersey to New York, and from Philadelphia south through Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia to Washington.
Joshua John Moore and Thomas W. Jones were young surveyors in the employ of the Philadelphia publisher Mathew Carey. From several letters they wrote to Carey during the course of the survey (Lea & Febiger papers, PHi), a clear picture emerges of the extremely difficult task they had undertaken. On June 29, 1801, they wrote from New York: "We should have written to you before this, had not fatigue of our daily Journies rendered repose indispensable after the finishing of our Notes and Traverses. After twelve days driving our way through an immense multitude of Questioners, Observers, laughters, & Critics, who generally thronged around us at every place, to our great discomposure at first ... we are at length arrived here. If astonishment would ensure success to a work, we may entertain strong hopes indeed of ours; but it has nearly exhausted our health, as every violent effort naturally must...."
Upon completion of the surveys, the maps were drawn by the surveyors. They locate crossroads, streams, taverns, churches and other public buildings, and occasionally private houses. Carey employed four engravers to produce the plates: William Harrison, Jr., and Francis Shallus, who did the bulk of the work, and John Draper and James Smither, Jr. The text, also assembled by Moore and Jones, describes the various towns through which the roads pass, including sites of interest to the traveler. In this second edition, published two years after the first edition of 1802, the descriptive text has been extensively corrected and expanded. The maps are identical to those in the first edition and are printed from the same plates. The book is scarce, particularly in the nice condition of this copy. Most copies are browned and considerably foxed. For a highly detailed account of the production of this important early American map book, see Felcone, New Jersey Books, 886. Howes M-778; Streeter sale 3970; S&S 6815.
FRENCH MORMON'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY
93. (MORMONS). Bertrand, Louis A. Mémoires d'un Mormon. Paris: Collection Hetzel, E. Dentu, [1862]. [4], 323 p. Later half blue morocco, original pale green wrappers bound in. A fine, bright copy. $1000.00
First edition. Bertrand was the first native French Mormon to publish an account of his conversion and experience. His work combines the history of Joseph Smith with his own experiences in Utah. From 1859 to 1864 Bertrand was president of the French mission of the Mormon Church. See Mormon Historical Studies 1 (2000), pp. 3-24, for an account of Bertrand. The "Collection Hetzel" appears to have been co-published by E. Dentu and by E. Jung-Treuttel, as the same sheets exist with differing imprints. Flake 448; Streeter Sale 2307; Graff 281; Monaghan 212.
SECOND EDITION OF THE FIRST AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY
94. MORSE, JEDIDIAH. The American Geography; or, A View of the Present Situation of the United States of America.... London: For John Stockdale, 1792. xvi, 536 p. 2 folding maps, folding table. Contemporary mottled calf, skillfully rebacked in period style. Both maps with a few neat and unobtrusive early repairs (fold strengthening) on verso, else a fine copy--clean and entirely unfoxed. $2800.00
Second edition of the first American geography, originally printed in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, in 1789. The engraved maps depict the northern and southern parts of what then comprised the United States, the latter including the "New State of Franklin." Howes M840.
THE FIRST AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY: 1789
95. MORSE, JEDIDIAH. The American Geography; or, A View of the Present Situation of the United States of America. Elizabeth Town: Shepard Kollock, 1789. xii, 534, [3] p. 2 folding maps. Contemporary sheep, very skillfully rebacked in correct period style, rear endpaper sympathetically replaced. Light foxing and occasional browning throughout, as usual with early American paper, a few short splits and one map tear skillfully mended. Twentieth-century owner's stamp at the foot of the dedication page and on the verso of one map. Rev. Anson Phelps Stokes bookplate. $5500.00
The first American geography, and an important early American cartographical work. Jedidiah Morse was a congregationalist minister who in 1784 published a school text, Geography Made Easy. Two years later, he began work on a comprehensive American geography. He sought assistance from many distinguished Americans, including Washington and Franklin. Governor William Livingston of New Jersey took considerable interest in the work and made numerous contributions to the text. Morse returned his thanks to Livingston by dedicating the book to him. The maps were engraved by Amos Doolittle, who compiled the map of the northern states. The map of the southern states was compiled by Joseph Purcell and depicts the "New State of Franklin" between present Tennessee and North Carolina. This copy is complete including the errata leaf and directions to the binder, leaf 3X4, and the leaf "Corrections respecting France" tipped in at the rear. For a detailed essay on the compilation and publication history of this important book, see Felcone, Printing in New Jersey, 1754-1800: A Descriptive Bibliography, 528. Evans 21978; Howes M840; Wheat & Brun 149, 491; ESTC W31207.
NEW ENGLAND IN DARKNESS AND GLOOM
96. (NEW ENGLAND). Elijah's Mantle. A Faithful Testimony to New-England ... Highly Seasonable to be Offered unto the People, now succeeding in the New-English Colonies ... at this Gloomy Day of Darkness and Trial.... Boston: Nathaniel Coverly, 1774. 31 p. Later half calf. Occasional light foxing, endpapers discolored, but very good. Roderick Terry bookplate. $1200.00
Contributions by Jonathan Mitchel, John Higginson, William Stoughton, and Increase Mather. Editorship is ascribed to William Cooper in a ms. note in the MHi copy; also ascribed to Cotton Mather. The work was published in Boston in 1722 and here re-issued on the eve of the Revolution. Evans 13445.
JOURNAL OF THE NEW YORK ASSEMBLY, 1691-1743
97. NEW YORK (COLONY). Journal of the Votes and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Colony of New-York. Began the 9th Day of April, 1691; and Ended the 27th of September, 1743. New York: Hugh Gaine, 1764. Folio. iv, 664, 667-840, [2] p. Contemporary sheep (worn at the extremities, scuffed, front hinge cracking, wanting front binder's blanks). Scattered foxing and browning, varying from gathering to gathering as usual with early American books, but a good clean copy. $1200.00
Volume 1, complete in itself. A second volume, covering the years 1744 through 1765, was published in 1766. An invaluable insight into colonial New York politics. Unlike the volumes of compiled laws, which merely present the laws themselves, the journals of legislative bodies record the daily, detailed proceedings, and the votes, of the assembly. One sees proposed and defeated legislation, political factions, and the entire legislative process. Given the turbulence of early New York politics, this is a most important resource. Evans 9756.
BRADFORD'S LAWS OF NEW YORK: 1726
98. NEW YORK. LAWS. Acts of Assembly Passed in the Province of New-York, from 1691, to 1725. New York: William Bradford, 1726. Fol. [10], 124 [i.e., 128], 121-252, 261-319 p. Later half morocco, worn and scuffed at the entremities. Eight leaves in neat facsimile: title, the four-leaf index, leaves 2K1-2, and leaf 23V2. Leaves 2E2-G2 supplied from another copy. Library stamp on pastedown and title, occasional dampstaining, and the foxing and moderate browning inherent in American books of this date. Withal, an entirely respectable copy of a very rare book. While the earliest ownership signature has been lined through and is difficult to decipher, later signatures are Henry Sands 1800, Caleb S. Riggs, and Saml. R. Betts 1827. $2200.00
The very rare 1726 "Bradford" compilation of the earliest laws of New York, printed by New York's, and the Middle Colonies', first printer. Eight leaves are in neat facsimile and five leaves were long ago supplied from another copy, but otherwise this is a very satisfactory copy. Only two other copies have been sold at auction in the last forty years. Law compilations of this date from the Middle Colonies are extremely rare, and one must take what one can find. Evans 2785, 2569; Tower Collection 613; ESTC W11515, W16374.
NEW YORK DIRECTORY FOR 1806
99. (NEW YORK). Longworth, David. Longworth's American Almanac, New-York Register, and City Directory; for the Thirty-First Year of American Independence. New York: David Longworth, [1806]. 12mo. [23], 28-276, 337-444, [4] p. Illus. Later half calf (minor scuffing). Very good. Modern bookplate. $600.00
Several of the woodcuts are attributed to Alexander Anderson by Pomeroy. S&S 11020; Pomeroy, Alexander Anderson, 198; Spear p. 239.
NEW YORK'S SONS OF LIBERTY PULL DOWN GEORGE III: 1776
100. (NEW YORK--AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Die Zerstörung der Königlichen Bild Säule zu New Yorck | La Destruction de la Statue Royale a Nouvelle Yorck. Augsburg, [ca. 1776]. Hand-colored reverse etching. 11.8 x 16.4 in. Neatly framed and glazed. One minor tear into caption at bottom, light dampstain at bottom extending slightly into image, else very good, with original hand coloring. Neatly framed and glazed. $3800.00
A famous Revolutionary War print, drawn by François Xav. Habermann for Collection de Prospects, depicting the Sons of Liberty pulling down the statue of George III in New York. Two crude ladders hold several young men swinging heavy hammers, while a group of men on the ground, with ropes around the neck and body of the statue, pull it to the ground. A large crowd of people, in the street and at windows, witness the spectacle. "A statue of the King had been erected on the Bowling Green after the repeal of the Stamp Act ... in the excitement engendered by the Declaration of Independence and its adoption by the Provincial Congress of New York on 9 July 1776 the royal statue was pulled down. The statue of the Earl of Chatham, a strong advocate of reconciliation, was not touched. This destruction was both a gesture of patriotic triumph and one of defiance, in a city politically divided and threatened with occupation."--BL, War of American Independence, 97; cf. Cresswell 263. For recent scholarship, see Christopher Pierce, "Practicing Peeping! New Notes and Comments on the Collection des Prospects of New York City," Imprint 32 (2007), pp. 10-24.
1834 PLAN OF NEW YORK
101. (NEW YORK--MAP). Hooker's New Pocket Plan of the City of New York. New York: W. Hooker, 1834. Engraved map, outline coloring by hand. 12½ x 15½ in. Folded into pastepaper case, as issued. Professional fold strengthening on verso, contemporary owner's name above cartouche, case worn. Map very good. $1100.00
A handsome map of New York below Fourteenth Street, with detailed text in the margins listing churches, markets, and other public places.
LAWS OF NORTH CAROLINA, 1715-1790
102. NORTH CAROLINA. LAWS. Laws of the State of North-Carolina. Published ... by James Iredell. Edenton: Hodge & Wills, 1791. Folio. [4], 712, xxi, [3] p. Modern calf-backed marbled boards, very skillfully executed in period style. Short marginal tear on 6L2, edges of title darkened from leather turn-ins, expected light foxing and toning, but a very good copy, in a correct period-style binding. $3500.00
A compilation of all the laws of North Carolina from 1715 through 1790, assembled by the noted North Carolina jurist James Iredell. Includes an extensive index. Evans 23641; Tower 639.
ONE OF THE GREAT ARCHITECTURAL LITHOGRAPHS OF NEW JERSEY
103. NOTMAN, JOHN. State Capitol of New Jersey at Trenton. Built, 1794. Altered & Enlarged 1845 & 46. Philadelphia: T. Sinclair's lith., [ca. 1845]. Large folio (42 x 61 cm. plus full original margins). Professionally cleaned and very skillfully colored. One very light crease in the sky and a few very small marginal tears very neatly and unobtrusively repaired. Correctly framed in a period-style, leaf-gilt antiqued frame, acid-free fillets under the rabbet, by one of America's leading museum framers. A beautiful example. $3000.00
By 1845 New Jersey's State House--built in 1794--had become both inadequate and in need of considerable repair. Philadelphia architect John Notman was retained to prepare a set of drawings, which were accepted, that dramatically altered and enlarged the original structure. Construction began in 1845 and was completed the next year. See C. M. Greiff, John Notman, Architect (1979), pp. 82-90. At some point in the process drawings by Notman were provided to the Sinclair firm, which produced three lithographs: one depicting the original 1794 structure, and two depicting the Notman alterations and addition, one a northeast and the other a southeast perspective. All three are very rare today: in over forty years of handling New Jerseyana, this southeast view is the first of the three that we have ever offered for sale. This is a lovely copy, on a full uncut sheet, tastefully colored, and beautifully and correctly framed. Felcone, Portrait of Place: Paintings, Drawings, and Prints of New Jersey, 1761-1898, 109. Cannot be shipped.
THE FIRST AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A MAGICIAN PUBLISHED IN AMERICA
104. OEHLER, ANDREW. The Life, Adventures, and Unparalleled Sufferings of Andrew Oehler: Containing an Account of his Travels ... Written by Himself. Trenton: D. Fenton; L. Deare, printer, N. Brunswick, 1811. 226 p. Contemporary mottled sheep (hinges cracked but solid). Some dampstains, but quite good. $2400.00
First and only edition of the first autobiographical account of a magician to be published in America. One of two issues with slightly different title page imprints. A delightful narrative of the adventures, misfortunes, and hairbreadth escapes of a picaresque traveler, chiefly in Europe and the southern United States. Oehler, according to his own account, was born in Germany in 1781. He came to America early in 1800, landing first at Baltimore, then journeying through Maryland and Virginia. In 1801 he left for Santo Domingo, where he arrived in the midst of the black insurrection, was taken to Toussaint, and joined the insurrectionary army. The next year he was in South Carolina, where he learned to build hot-air balloons and did public ascensions there and in Georgia and Tennessee. He next learned legerdemain and conducted seances, attracting crowds and filling his pockets.
Over the next several years he added fireworks and atmospheric electricity to his bag of tricks, traveling throughout the south before heading north to Philadelphia, then New Jersey. The appendix following the text describes some of the technical principles behind his slight-of-hand and electricity demonstrations. See Ricky Jay, "Suffering Hyperbole," Gibecière 7 (2012): 11-17, and Enrique Jiménez-Martínez, "Andrew Oehler's Myths of Old Mexico: Two Hundred Years after Something that Never Happened," Gibecière 7 (2012): 21-88. S&S 23586; Howes O-25; Felcone, New Jersey Books, 1188; Clark, Travels in the Old South, II, 110.
EBENEZER ZANE LAYS OUT LAND IN OHIO TERRITORY IN 1796
105. (OHIO). U.S. Laws, &c. ... An Act to Authorize Ebenezer Zane to Locate Certain Lands in the Territory of the United States, North-West of the River Ohio. [Philadelphia: Francis Childs, 1796.] Broadsheet (11 3/3 x 7 7/8 in.), printed on both sides. Signed in ink at the conclusion by Timothy Pickering as secretary of state. Mounting traces and a few small tears at extreme left margin, horizontal fold marks, else near fine. $2500.00
A grant to the noted pioneer Ohio settler Ebenezer Zane of three one-mile square tracts of land, one each on the Muskingum, Hockhocking, and Scioto rivers. In return, Zane was to open a road from Wheeling to Limestone, Kentucky, (part of present-day routes U.S. 22 and Ohio 159) and establish ferries where the road crossed the three rivers. Today, these tracts represent the start of the towns of Zanesville, Lancaster, and Chillicothe.
The paper is watermarked "Delaware" and was made at William Young's Delaware Paper Mills in New Castle County, Delaware. Preceding the Ebenezer Zane act on the same sheet is an "Act Authorizing the Erection of a Light-House on Cape Cod, in the State of Massachusetts." This is undoubtedly the Provincetown light, as it refers also to a concurrent change in the Plymouth harbor light on Gurnet-Head, a short distance away. 4th Congress, 1st Session, 17 May 1796. Bristol B9754. ESTC records only two copies: MWA and PPRF.
PAINE'S RIGHTS OF MAN PRINTED IN COPENHAGEN
106. PAINE, THOMAS. Die Rechte des Menschen. Kopenhagen: Christ. Gottl. Proft, 1793. 8vo. 3 vols. in 1. xviii, 253, [1] p.; xxxii, 199, [3] p.; 138 p. Engraved port. of Paine on first two title pages. Contemporary paper-covered boards. A very good, clean copy. $750.00
Second improved edition. German translation of The Rights of Man.
FIRST PRINTING OF BLACKSTONE IN AMERICA
107. PARKER, JAMES. Conductor Generalis: or, The Office, Duty and Authority of Justices of the Peace, High-Sheriffs ... Constables, Gaolers ... To which is added, A Treatise on the Law of Descents in Fee-Simple: By William Blackstone.... Woodbridge, in New-Jersey: Printed and sold by James Parker; sold also by John Holt ... in New-York, 1764. 8vo. xvi, 592 p. Contemporary sheep, very skillfully rebacked in period style retaining original spine label. Edges of front free endpaper neatly guarded, the usual light foxing inherent in colonial American paper, else a lovely copy. With the contemporary signature of "Wm. Smith" on front flyleaf. $2800.00
First edition of the first legal treatise printed in New Jersey, the first printing of Blackstone in America, and one of the most substantial books both written and printed by a colonial American printer. James Parker was a justice of the peace in New Jersey as well as the colony's first printer, having established his press at Woodbridge in 1754. His legal manual was based upon earlier English works of a similar nature, chiefly Burn, but was considerably altered to suit American needs. Blackstone's treatise on descents was the first work of that author to be printed in America. Parker's Conductor Generalis was a shared edition and exists with three varying title page imprints. Felcone, Printing in New Jersey, 1754-1800, 90; Bristol B2507; ESTC W38802.
THE EARLIEST VIEW OF PASSAIC FALLS
108. (PASSAIC FALLS). A View of the Falls on the Passaick, or Second River, in the Province of New Jersey . . . Sketch'd on the Spot by His Excellency Governor Pownall. . . . London: For John Bowles, Robert Sayer, Thos. Jefferys, Carington Bowles, and Henry Parker, [1768]. 14.5 x 21.2 in. (platemark) plus 1/4 in. margins. Black and white etching/engraving. Two tears into image neatly closed, skillfully backed in tissue by a leading American conservator. $2000.00
The first published image of the Passaic Falls and one of the earliest published images of New Jersey. The artist, Thomas Pownall, served as lieutenant-governor of New Jersey and governor of Massachusetts and spent several years in America between 1753 and 1759. His sketch of the Passaic Falls was given to London artist Paul Sandby, who made a finished painting from it and then an engraving. This engraving, along with five others (not New Jersey) from Pownall sketches, was published by Thomas Jefferys in London in 1761 as Six Remarkable Views in the Provinces of New-York, New-Jersey, and Pennsylvania, in North America. Copies are very rare. Seven years later, in 1768, a second impression of the engraving was made for inclusion in a portfolio of 28 views entitled Scenographia Americana. In this second impression, the 1761 Jefferys imprint was removed from the plate and replaced with an undated line naming the five publishers of the new work. Other than the addition of a small "c.2." just below the lower right-hand corner of the image, no other changes were made to the plate for the second impression, which we offer here. Felcone, Portrait of Place: Paintings, Drawings, amd Prints of New Jersey, 1761-1898, 54; Cresswell, The American Revolution in Drawings and Prints, 568.
WILLIAM PENN'S MAXIMS
109. [PENN, WILLIAM]. Some Fruits of Solitude, in Reflections and Maxims Relating to the Conduct of Human Life. The Seventh Edition. London: Luke Hinde, [1735?]. 12mo. [16], 158, [12], 111, [3] p. Modern calf-backed marbled paper-covered boards, skillfully executed in period style. A few very tiny chips at fore-edge of first and last leaves, else near fine. $750.00
Two parts in one. ESTC T139394.
DALLAS'S LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA, 1700-1801, COMPLETE IN FOUR VOLUMES
110. PENNSYLVANIA. LAWS. Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, from the Fourteenth Day of October, One Thousand Seven Hundred.... Philadelphia: Hall and Sellers, 1797-93-95, and Lancaster: Francis Bailey, 1801. Folio. 4 vols. Later neat tan law buckram, red and black leather spine labels. Sporatic toning of the text, as usual with early American paper stocks, some dampstaining at the top of vol. 3, else a fine, clean set. $1000.00
Compiled by Alexander James Dallas and complete in four volumes. Contains the laws of Pennsylvania from 1700 through 1801. Volumes 3-4 are actually the session laws as originally issued, bound up with collective title pages and indexes. Evans 32655, 34331, 29291; S&S 1121; Tower 801.
1798 PHILADELPHIA DIRECTORY
111. (PENNSYLVANIA--DIRECTORY). The Philadelphia Directory for 1798: Containing the Names, Occupations, and Places of Abode of the Citizens . . . By Cornelius William Stafford. Philadelphia: Printed for the editor, by William W. Woodward, 1798. 166, [2], 77, [2] p. Nineteenth-century half morocco, rebacked retaining original spine. Title page browned and stained with evidence of former cellophane tape, corners replaced, text with some browning and staining. Bookplate. A complete and respectable copy, with an unattractive title page, and priced accordingly. $1500.00
The rear matter includes the full text of the Constitution and an account of the Yellow Fever epidemic. Evans 34593.
PICKERING DEFENDS THE UNITED STATES
112. PICKERING, TIMOTHY. Letter from Mr. Pickering, Secretary of State, to the Chevalier de Yrujo, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of His Catholic Majesty to the United States ... August 8th, 1797. [Philadelphia? 1797]. 37 p. Stitched and uncut, as issued. Rear wrapper present, front lacking. Fine. $450.00
Pickering's lengthy answer to Don Carlos Martinez de Yrujo, Spanish minister to the U.S., who in a letter of July 11 had criticized the United States. Evans 33067 attributes the printing to a Trenton printer, with no evidence; Felcone, Printing in New Jersey, 1754-1800, R64, removes the work from the New Jersey printing canon. ESTC W13448.
MOST DESIRABLE LITHOGRAPH OF PRINCETON
113. (PRINCETON UNIVERSITY--PRINT). View of Nassau Hall, Princeton, N.J. Drawn by F. Childs. Lith. & Printed in Colours by Robertson, Seibert & Shearman ... N.Y. [Princeton]: Published by George Thompson, [ca. 1860]. Colored lithograph. 15.5 x 19.5 in. plus 3/4 in. (sight) margins. A few small and entirely unobtrusive foxing spots, else a fine, fresh copy. Correctly and tastefully matted and framed in a modern gilt-style frame. A lovely example, ready to hang. Cannot be shipped. $2800.00
The most desirable lithograph of Nassau Hall, depicting a front view of the building immediately after its 1855–59 restoration by architect John Notman. To the left and right of Nassau Hall are shown other college buildings; in the foreground, on the sidewalk and street just outside of the iron fence, are several gentlemen and a lady conversing; in the center, an elegant barouche drawn by two high-stepping horses carries three handsomely dressed passengers. The lithograph is after a painting by F. Childs and was published by George Thompson, a bookseller, stationer, and publisher on Nassau Street opposite the college. The print has become quite rare, particularly in nice condition. Felcone, Portrait of Place: Paintings, Drawings, and Prints of New Jersey, 1761-1898, 99. See also H. T. Peters, America on Stone (1931), pp. 336–337, and H. L. Savage, ed., Nassau Hall, 1756–1956, (1956), pp. 159–161, 175, and plate VII.
DEFENDING BRITAIN'S RIGHT TO TAX THE COLONIES
114. [RAMSAY, ALLAN]. Thoughts on the Origin and Nature of Government. Occasioned by the Late Disputes between Great Britain and her American Colonies. London: For T. Becket and P. A. de Hondt, 1769 [i.e., 1768]. 64 p. Neat modern paper-covered boards. A fine copy. In a morocco-backed cloth folding box. $1500.00
First edition. Ramsay's forceful defense of Great Britain's right to tax the American colonies. Ramsay (1713-1784) was a distinguished portrait painter and, in his later years, a classical scholar and political writer. While Adams and the ESTC record a number of institutional copies of the pamphlet, no copy has appeared at public auction for over thirty-five years. Franklin's copy, later owned by Jefferson and now in the Library of Congress, is heavily annotated by Franklin on nearly every page. Adams, American Controversy, 68-24, Howes R-31.
THE REVOLUTION IN SOUTH CAROLINA
115. RAMSAY, DAVID. The History of the Revolution of South-Carolina, from a British Province to an Independent State. Trenton: Isaac Collins, 1785. 2 vols. xx, 453 p.; xx, 574 p.). 5 folding maps. Contemporary calf, rebacked retaining original spine labels. Large map neatly backed, dampstaining in both volumes. A good-plus copy. $7500.00
First edition of one of the classic accounts of the Revolutionary War in the South, written by a participant who was also a fine historian. Ramsay conceived the idea of writing the book while a British prisoner in Saint Augustine, Florida, in 1780 and 1781. Once the book was completed, it was almost certainly Ramsay's father-in-law, John Witherspoon, who suggested that it be printed by Isaac Collins in Trenton. Most copies were bound by Robert Aitken in Philadelphia. The five maps were engraved by Thomas Abernethie in Charleston. In an effort to reach the widest possible market, Ramsay had copies sent to London publisher Charles Dilly. However, Dilly was concerned that Ramsay had been pointedly critical of several army officers who still enjoyed the esteem of the British public and that to advertise the book for sale would expose him to attacks by the crown lawyers and perhaps to personal violence. He sold only a few copies, and the book was, in effect, banned in England. Poet Philip Freneau responded with a poem, "On prohibiting the sale of Dr. David Ramsay's history of the revolution of South-Carolina, in London." In April 1789 Ramsay petitioned Congress to have his work protected by a federal copyright, and it became the first book so protected when the first copyright act was passed by Congress in May 1790. For a detailed essay on the printing, publishing, and distribution of the book, see Felcone, Printing in New Jersey, 1754-1800: A Descriptive Bibliography, 418. Evans 19211; Wheat & Brun 545, 593-597; Streeter Sale 1135; Howes R36; ESTC 20465.
LAWS OF RHODE ISLAND, 1745-1752
116. RHODE ISLAND. Acts and Laws of His Majesty's Colony of Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantations, in New-England, in America. From Anno 1745, to Anno 1752. Newport: J. Franklin, 1752. Fol. [8], 110 p. Contemporary marbled paper wrappers, recently bound in lovely full calf, antique. A fine, fresh copy inside and out. $2800.00
Laws of the Rhode Island colony from 1745 through 1752, being a continuation of the compilation of 1745. The printer was Benjamin Franklin's nephew, James Franklin, Jun. Alden 128, Evans 6919.
FIRST PUBLISHED WORK ON THE GEOLOGY OF NEW JERSEY
117. ROGERS, HENRY D. Report on the Geological Survey of the State of New Jersey. Philadelphia, 1836. 174, [1] p. Folding colored geological section. Original cloth, printed paper spine label. Extremities moderately worn, particularly along front hinge, endpapers foxed, else a lovely copy. Sold
First edition of the first published work on the geology of New Jersey. In 1835 the state legislature authorized a geological survey of New Jersey under the direction of Henry D. Rogers. The next year Rogers issued this preliminary report of his findings; in 1840 he issued a "final" report. This first report is very scarce and it is only the third copy we have had for sale in more than 35 years. Felcone, New Jersey Books, 945.
IN QUITE REMARKABLE CONDITION
118. SCHOOLCRAFT, HENRY R. Historical and Statistical Information, Respecting the History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States.... Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co. [et al], 1851-57. 6 volumes, thick folio. Approx. 330 lithographed and steel-engraved plates, many tinted, some hand colored or chromolithographed, largely after artist Seth Eastman. Original half dark green morocco, marbled paper sides, reddish-brown endpapers, in remarkably fine condition--bright and fresh. Engraved fore-titles moderately foxed; black-and-white plates and tissue guards range from entirely unfoxed to moderately foxed with most lightly foxed in the margins; color plates largely unfoxed, a few lightly foxed in the margins. $20,000.00
First edition of the most extensive nineteenth-century study of the Native American tribes of North America, compiled under the direction of Henry R. Schoolcraft, longtime Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and profusely illustrated, largely from paintings and drawings by artist Seth Eastman. The six massive volumes were issued both in cloth and in half morocco, as here. Because of their weight, the volumes almost never survived in fine condition, and nearly every copy is either in a worn and shabby original binding or has been rebound. All exhibit varying degrees of foxing. The present copy appears to have had little if any use, and other than very light wear along the bottoms of the boards, the binding is remarkably fine and bright. A lovely collector's copy. Howes S183.
TRAVELS IN THE OLD NORTHWEST
119. SCHOOLCRAFT, HENRY R. Narrative of an Expedition through the Upper Mississippi to Itasca Lake, the Actual Source of this River; Embracing an Exploratory Trip through the St. Croix and Burntwood (or Broule) Rivers; in 1831. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1834. [2], 307, [1] p. 5 maps (2 folding). Modern half red crushed levant morocco. First few leaves neatly washed, old penned number on title and second leaf, else a fine copy. $1000.00
First edition. Schoolcraft undertook several journeys through the Old Northwest Territory, on one of which he discovered the true source of the Mississippi River. The extensive appendix contains the documentation of his reports as well as a Chippewa vocabulary. Wagner-Camp 50a:1; Howes S187; Graff 3698.
FIRST GAZETTEER OF THE UNITED STATES: 1795
120. SCOTT, JOSEPH. The United States Gazetteer: Containing an Authentic Description of the Several States, their Situation, Extent, Boundaries ... their Respective Counties.... Philadelphia: F. and R. Bailey, 1795. 12mo. [iii]-vi, [294] p. Engraved title, large engraved folding map of the U.S., and 18 smaller engraved folding maps of states and territories. Contemporary sheep, very skillfully rebacked retaining the original spine label, endpapers neatly replaced with period paper. Usual light offsetting on the maps and on the facing text pages, a few stray spots, else a very good, very attractive copy. Early signature of J. McKnight. $8,000.00
First edition of the first gazetteer of the United States, with nineteen maps drawn and engraved by the author. Included are maps from Maine to South Carolina and Kentucky, as well as important early maps of the Northwest Territory and the Southwest Territory. Scott introduces his work in a short preface: ". . . what was but a few years ago, a pathless region, is now become a rich, and flourishing settlement; interspersed with pleasant towns, and thriving villages." Evans 29476, Howes S237, Rink 225, Wheat & Brun 125 (U.S. map, plus all state and territory maps).
STOPPING FRENCH ENCROACHMENTS ON THE OHIO
121. [SHEBBEARE, JOHN]. A Fourth Letter to the People of England. On the Conduct of the M------rs in Alliances, Fleets, and Armies, since the first Differences on the Ohio, to the taking of Minorca by the French. London: For M. Collier, 1756. [4], 111 p. Removed from a bound pamphlet volume. First and last few leaves loose, else very good. $1500.00
First edition. A remarkably outspoken criticism of the Ministry's failure to stop French encroachments on the Ohio. The author discusses the British activities in the area, mentioning George Washington, Braddock's movements, the high price of hiring Hessian mercenaries, etc. Shebbeare issued seven Letters in all, of which this and one other concern America. After the sixth Letter Shebbeare was arrested for libel and imprisoned for three years. Howes S368; Kress 4066.
NEW ENGLAND GIVEN FAIR WARNING
122. SHEPARD, THOMAS. The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened & Applied: Being the Substance of Divers Sermons on Matth. 25. 1,--13.... [London]: Re-printed, and carefully corrected in the year, 1695. Sm. fol. [8], 232, 190, [5] p. Modern full calf, very skillfully executed in period style. Title a bit soiled and with early stamp on verso, small burn hole in F3 costing a few letters, corner of K4 torn away affecting type rule, minor soiling and spotting, but a very good copy in a handsome period-style binding. $1000.00
Shepard (1605-1649) was an early New England Puritan and minister of a congregation at Cambridge, Massachusetts. His Parable of the Ten Virgins was prepared for the press by his son Thomas and fellow New England minister Jonathan Mitchell and was first published in 1660. The text contains a warning to New England: "I do fear there is at this day as deep mischief plotting against New-England as ever the sun saw." (pt. 1, p. 163) Jonathan Edwards made considerable use of the work in his Treatise Concerning Religious Affections (1746). European Americana 695/179; Wing S3115.
SIMCOE'S MILITARY JOURNAL
123. SIMCOE, JOHN GRAVES. Simcoe's Military Journal. A History of the Operations of a Partisan Corps, Called the Queen's Rangers, Commanded by Lieut. Col. J. G. Simcoe, During the War of the American Revolution.... New York, 1844. xvii, [4], 14-328 p. 10 folding lithographed battle plans. Contemporary boards, printed paper spine label. Persistent dampstain at lower inside corner of entire text block, foxing throughout. Stitching loosening, spine beginning to split. A respectable copy of a book very difficult to find in fine condition. $1000.00
First American, and first published, edition, after a small edition printed in Exeter, England, in 1787 for private circulation. This edition contains considerable additional material as well as a memoir of the author. Simcoe, a British officer, led the Queen's Rangers, a regiment composed largely of American Loyalists. The regiment took part in actions in Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey from 1777 to 1780, in which year they went to Virginia, where they remained until Yorktown. Two of the battle plans depict Southern New Jersey engagements: the skirmish at Quintin's Bridge and the surprize at Hancock's House. Howes S-461; Clark I, 311; Lande 749.
ONLY ONE RECORDED COPY
124. SIMMONS, WILLIAM. Capture of the Armstrong. Respectfully dedicated to the officers and crew of the U. S. R. R. Cuyler. By Wm. Simmons, marine. [N.p., 1864?] Broadside, 14 x 5 in. Light foxing, but very good. $550.00
Account in song/rhymed verse of the capture of the blockade-running steamer Armstrong by the R. R. Cuyler off Wilmington, North Carolina, in late 1864. Thirteen four-line stanzas with a four-line chorus beginning "The Navy of the free, brave boys...." OCLC records only one copy, in the Harris Collection at Brown.
SOURCE FOR THE BOOK OF MORMON?
125. SMITH, ETHAN. View of the Hebrews; Exhibiting the Destruction of Jerusalem; the Certain Restoration of Judah and Israel; the Present State of Judah and Israel; and an Address of the Prophet Isaiah Relative to their Restoration. Poultney, Vt.: Smith & Shute, 1823. 12mo. 187 p. Contemporary mottled sheep. Usual scattered foxing, else a very good, tight copy. $3000.00
First edition. An argument that the American Indians were descended from the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. This argument reappeared in Joseph Smith's (no relation) Book of Mormon published seven years later, and many have attempted to establish a connection between the two works. However Ethan Smith's argument was a popular one, advanced by many theological writers over the years. Smith (1762-1849) was a Congregationalist minisher in Vermont. The book was reprinted and slightly enlarged in 1825 and copies are seen on the market with some frequency, but this first edition is quite rare in trade. Rosenbach 252; Pilling 3655; Shoemaker 14138.
SOUTH CAROLINA LAWS, 1791-1804
126. SOUTH CAROLINA. LAWS. Acts of the General Assembly of the State of South-Carolina, from February, 1791, to December, 1794 [-December, 1795, to December, 1804]. Columbia: D. & J. J. Faust, 1808. 8vo. 2 vols. [82], 394, [9] p.; 567, [14] p. Modern calf-backed boards, very skillfully executed in period style. Marginal tear on T3 of v.1, variable foxing and browning throughout due to the different paper stocks used. Signatures of R. [L.?] Witherspoon, 1809, and Tho. Williams, Jr., 1816, on first title page, and mid-nineteenth-century stamp of F. H. Thomas & Co., law booksellers, St. Louis. $1800.00
Fully indexed compilation of South Carolina laws from 1794 through 1804, in a handsome period-style binding. The book was printed on poor paper and all copies exhibit varying degrees of foxing and browning. S&S 16222.
SOUTH CAROLINA BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1808, IN A CONTEMPORARY GILT EXTRA BINDING
127. (SOUTH CAROLINA). Episcopal Church. The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments.... [bound with:] The Whole Book of Psalms, in Metre.... Charleston [S.C.]: For W.P. Young, 1808. 12mo. 384, 206, [4], 207-223, [4], 226-245, [2] p. Contemporary black calf (or possibly roan), spine divided into compartments by single gilt fillets, each compartment with a small central gilt rosette, covers enclosed with a single gilt fillet, gilt roll on board edges, page edges gilt, sewn-in headbands, Stormont marbled endpapers. Binding worn, particularly along the hinges, but very sound. Binder's blanks foxed, text lightly so except gathering U which is heavily foxed. Signatures of "Jn. Ball, 4th Decem. 1812, price $3" and Ann W. Simons 1851 [?]. $1600.00
In 1808 New York bookseller David Longworth shared an edition of the Book of Common Prayer with Charleston printer and bookseller William P. Young. The printer of the text has not been identified. Longworth, who favored elegant productions, had several plates engraved for the edition by Benjamin Tanner, and the plates boldly bear Longworth's name: "Published by D. Longworth." The book could be ordered with or, as here, without plates, and in plain or, as here, extra binding. Page [225], second sequence, contains a full-page advertisement for William P. Young's "wholesale and retale [sic] book-store, 41 Broad Street, Charleston." S&S 16006/ 14507 records the NN copy only; OCLC adds three additional copies: MWA, N, and ScU; Griffiths 1808/17 records the NN copy. Early Southern imprints in gilt extra bindings are quite rare.
IN THE WILDS OF AMERICA
128. ST. JOHN, PERCY B. The Trapper's Bride: A Tale of the Rocky Mountains. With the Rose of Ouisconsin. Indian Tales. London, 1845. [6], 166 p. Cloth. Lacks series title preceding title page, else a very nice, tight copy. $600.00
First edition of an English author's account of life in the West, particularly Fort Bent. According to his introduction, St. John based the work on his stay in the "wilds of America, the backwoods of Texas." Streeter Sale 3048; Wagner-Camp 118:1; Graff 3641.
129. (STAMP ACT). Great Britain. Parliament. Correct Copies of the Two Protests against the Bill to Repeal the American Stamp Act, of Last Session. With Lists of the Speakers and Voters. Paris [i.e., London]: Chez J.W. [i.e., Almon], 1766. 24 p. Removed. A bit foxed. $400.00
First edition thus, incorporating the previously issued Protest and Second Protest against the repeal of the Stamp Act. According to Adams, the previously issued A List of the Minority was bound at the rear, but it is not present here. Adams, American Controversy, 66-57; Goldsmiths' 10220; Higgs 3728.
TAX THE AMERICANS!
130. (STAMP ACT). A List of the Minority in the House of Commons, who Voted Against the Bill to Repeal the American Stamp Act. Paris: Chez J.W. [i.e., London: Almon?], 1766. 8 p. Neat modern half cloth. Edges quite brittle with some chipping, fore-edge of title repaired. $400.00
First edition. Adams, American Controversy, 66-26.
EARLY WORK ON THE CONSTITUTION BY A NEW JERSEY FARMER
131. [STEVENS, JOHN]. Examen du Gouvernement D'Angleterre, Comparé aux Constitutions des Etats-Unis. Où l'on Réfute quelques Assertions Contenues dans l'Ouvrage de M. Adams ... Par un Cultivateur de New-Jersey .... Paris: Chez Froullé, 1789. viii, 291 p. Modern French leather-backed marbled boards. Small early repair to bottom edge of title page, else a near-fine, wide-margined copy. $1250.00
The greatly enlarged first French edition of one of the earliest works on the Constitution, originally published in New York in 1787. Attributed by Sabin, Evans, and most other bibliographers (except Howes) to William Livingston, the work was actually written by Livingston's friend John Stevens (1749-1838), best known as a leading early American engineer and pioneer in the field of steamboat and railroad transportation. In the Stevens papers is a draft of the work in Stevens's hand, a receipt from the New York printer for printing 500 copies, and several letters of Stevens referring to the essay. Largely unappreciated in America, Stevens's work was a great success in France. The original 56-page pamphlet was turned into a 291-page book with notes by Dupont, Condorcet, and Mazzei. There is much comment on John Adams's recently published Defense of the Constitutions. Howes S-968; Felcone, New Jersey Books, 254.
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: ONE OF THE FOUNDATION DOCUMENTS
132. THOMSON, JOHN. An Enquiry, Concerning the Liberty, and Licentiousness of the Press, and the Uncontroulable Nature of the Human Mind: Containing an Investigation of the Right which Government have to Controul the Free Expression of Public Opinion, Addressed to the People of the U. States. New York: Johnson & Stryker, for the author, 1801. 84 p. Removed from a bound volume. Some foxing and spotting, marginal stains on the first few pages and one or two internal pages. A good-to-very good copy. In a neat cloth folding box with leather label. $2800.00
First and only edition of one of the classic early American texts on freedom of the press and individual freedom in general. "Let the whig and tory, the royalist and aristocrate, the republican and democrat, or by whatever other name the partizans of political parties are designated . . . be allowed to express their opinions, whether by speech or press, with the same unconstrained freedom with which men of science discuss their subjects of investigation. No more danger will result from one discussion, than arises from the other. . . ." Little is known about Thomson though he appears to have been, at times, a hair dresser and the proprietor of a placement office for domestic help. S&S 1409; McCoy, Freedom of the Press, T102.
FIRST CODIFICATION OF U.S. MILITARY LAWS
133. UNITED STATES. WAR DEPT. Military Laws of the United States; to which is Prefixed the Constitution of the United States. By Trueman Cross. Washington: Edward De Krafft, 1825. xxxi, [1], 279 p. Contemporary sheep. Foxed, binding scuffed but very tight and solid. William G. McNeill's copy, signed and dated 1827 on the title page and with his name neatly lettered in ink on the front cover. In a portfolio and fine morocco-backed slipcase. $2200.00
First edition of the first attempt to fully codify the military laws of the United States. Preceded by the Constitution, the work contains the texts of all laws pertaining to the military in the United States, beginning in 1776 and continuing through 1824, including a comprehensive 17-page index. The book was compiled by Trueman Cross under the authority of the War Department. Cross was a career military officer and is often considered the first important fatality of the Mexican War, having been killed by Mexican banditti on the Rio Grande near Fort Texas in April 1846. This copy belonged to William G. McNeill, an army topographical engineer who left the service in the late 1820s to become a railroad engineer. He supervised the surveying and construction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and eventually became one of the foremost railroad engineers in the country.
Cross's book, though owned by several libraries, is very rare in trade. No copy appears in the auction records from the mid-1970s onward, and it is unlisted in Shoemaker's American Imprints. This is a lovely copy, in the original binding, with a fine provenance.
A COMPLETE RUN
134. (UTAH). Tullidge's Quarterly Magazine. Salt Lake City: Edward W. Tullidge: Vol. I no. 1, Oct. 1880, through vol. III no. 4, Jan. 1885. Portraits and plates. Bound at the end of vol. III is Tullidge's History of Salt Lake City and its Founders (336 p.; 3 plates). Three volumes, bound in non-matching period half leather. Some scuffing of extremities, a few pages torn or soiled with early repairs. Small early label of the Shepard Book Company, Salt Lake City, in each volume. Philip Ashton Rollins' set, with his bookplate in each volume. $1200.00
All published. A complete run of this important Western journal, with a wealth of material on Utah, the Mormons, and the West in general. Includes a great many biographical and autobiographical sketches (many with engraved portraits), local histories, &c. Bound in the third volume (and also issued separately) is the first edition of Tullidge's history of Salt Lake City. From the library of the great Western Americana collector Philip Ashton Rollins. Flake 9048; 9038; Howes T-409.
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA
135. (VIRGINIA). [Beverley, Robert]. The History of Virginia, in Four Parts ... By a Native and Inhabitant of the Place. London: For F. Fayram and J. Clarke, and T. Bickerton, 1722. [8], 284, [24] p. + [4] p. ads. Engraved fore-title, 14 engraved plates. Slightly later calf. Spine rubbed, front hinge begining to crack but held firmly by the cords. Some light marginal foxing, but a very good, very attractive copy. $2800.00
The revised and enlarged second edition of the first history of Virginia written by a native. Beverley was a planter who spent most of his life in Virginia, and his work is a reliable contemporary account of life in that colony. The work first appeared in 1705. Howes B410.
FIRST BOOK PRINTED IN WEST VIRGINIA
136. (WEST VIRGINIA). Watson, Richard. Christian Panoply; Containing an Apology for the Bible; in a Series of Letters, Addressed to Thomas Paine.... Shepherd's-Town: P. Rootes & C. Blagrove, 1797. 332 p. Contemporary sheep. Spine weakening at center, hinges cracked but held by cords, spine ends chipped, some gatherings browned. A good copy. $900.00
The first book printed in what is now West Virginia, preceded only by newspapers and a few broadsides and small pamphlets. Little is known of either Rootes or Blagrove, both of whom disappeared almost as quickly as they had come. See West Virginia Imprints, pp. 8 et seq., for a discussion of the printing of this book. Streeter sale 1104; West Virginia Imprints 5; Evans 33158.
ONE OF 200 COPIES PRINTED BY UPDIKE
137. WHITNEY, CASPAR. Charles Adelbert Canfield. New York, 1930. Sm. folio. viii, 217, [2] p. Photogravure plates. Cloth. A pristine copy, as new. $450.00
One of 300 copies, privately printed by D. B. Updike at the Merrymount Press. Canfield began a mining career in Colorado in 1869, then moved to Nevada and New Mexico before arriving in Los Angeles, where he went into the oil business with E. L. Doheny. Howes W384.
BARTLETT ILLUSTRATIONS OF AMERICAN SCENERY: 1840
138. WILLIS, NATHANIEL P. American Scenery; or, Land, Lake, and River Illustrations of Transatlantic Scenery. From Drawings by W. H. Bartlett.... London: George Virtue, 1840. 2 vols., 4to. Port., 2 engraved titles, map, and 118 engraved plates of American scenes from original drawings by William H. Bartlett. Contemporary half morocco (worn at extremities, one cover detached). Most plates with some foxing, chiefly in the blank margins. $1200.00
First edition of one of the most popular mid-nineteenth century works illustrating America. Bartlett travelled from New England south to Virginia and west to Niagara Falls, drawing some of the most spectacular American scenery. His drawings were engraved by a host of skillful artists and accompanied by text of N. P. Willis. Nearly all copies exhibit some degree of foxing on the plates. Howes B-209; Abbey, Travel, 651; Clark III:256.
KEEP OFF THE STAGE ... IN DUTCH
139. WITHERSPOON, JOHN. Ernstig onderzoek aangaande den aart en de uitwerkselen der Tooneelen. Zynde ingericht, om te toonen, dat het begunstigen en bevorderen van een openbaar tooneel onbestaanbaar is met het charakter van een' Christen. Utrecht: J. J. Van Poolsum, 1772. [12], 139, [1] p. Fully untrimmed, in modern cloth-backed boards. Title a trifle dust soiled and with upper blank corner gnawed, else about fine. $450.00
First Dutch translation of Witherspoon's popular diatribe against the stage, first published in Glasgow in 1757 as A Serious Enquiry into the Nature and Effects of the Stage. Witherspoon was president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence.
SECOND EDITION OF WITHERSPOON'S WORKS
140. WITHERSPOON, JOHN. The Works of the Rev. John Witherspoon ... Late President of the College at Princeton, New-Jersey. To which is Prefixed an Account of the Author's Life ... by Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, of New York.... Philadelphia: William W. Woodward, 1802. 4 vols. [15], 13-569, [3] p.; 586 p.; [4], 9-592 p.; 475, [13] p. incl. list of subscribers' names. Complete. Rebound in modern red buckram. Title page of vol. 1 a trifle foxed, else a remarkably fine, clean, unfoxed set, neatly but unsympathetically rebound in buckram. Priced considerably less than a set in a period or period-style binding. $750.00
The second collected edition of Witherspoon's works, prefaced by John Rodgers' 1795 funeral sermon on Witherspoon. Includes all of Witherspoon's most important works. The text does not differ greatly from the first edition of 1800-1801, but the type is entirely reset, some corrections and additions have been made, and the order of the selections is altered. Witherspoon was a distinguished Presbyterian theologian, president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), and the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence. S&S 3572; Felcone, New Jersey Books, 1430.
RARE 1874 WYOMING PROMOTIONAL WORK
141. (WYOMING). Wyoming (Territory). The Territory of Wyoming. Its History, Soil, Climate, Resources, etc. Laramie City: Daily Sentinel Print, Dec. 1874. 83, [1] p. Blue printed wrappers. A long diagonal tear in the lower corner of the title page has been neatly closed with a strip of cellophane tape on either side (touching one letter of type), spine ends a bit chipped, else a very good, clean copy, with the wrappers in lovely condition. $4500.00
The first book printed at Laramie, Wyoming, written only five years after the territory was organized. Compiled and issued by the territory's board of immigration, the work was written to attract settlers to an area that was still largely unexplored. The text includes detailed information about cattle and sheep ranching including costs of starting a ranch and projected profits. The territory's commissioner of immigration was J. K. Jeffrey, who Howes credits as the text's author. The book is quite rare: only one copy appears in the auction records in the last 40 years (Swann, 1995). Howes "b" J85; Streeter Sale 2244; Adams, Herd, 2638.
RURAL ECONOMY
142. [YOUNG, ARTHUR]. Rural Economy, or Essays on the Practical Parts of Husbandry: Designed to Explain Several of the Most Important Methods of Conducting Farms of Various Kinds ... To which is added, The Rural Socrates.... Burlington: Isaac Neale, 1792. 299, [1] p. Contemporary mottled sheep. Upper hinge beginning to crack, light internal toning, else a very nice copy. $400.00
Felcone, Printing in New Jersey, 1754-1800, 638; Rink 1110; Evans 25061; ESTC W22052.
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