[Popular Adaptations]. [Anonymous].

Alonzo & Melissa, Illustrating the Changes of Fortune, and Triumph of Virtue . . . Stereotype Edition. Entered According to Act of Congress, Jan. 2, 1844 [caption title].

[Enield, Mass. John Howe, 1844]. First edition. 16mo, unbound pamphlet approx. 6 x 5 inches, 8 pages, unopened. Old damp-stain to the first two leaves; some light foxing and soiling; a very good copy. Item #14806

"Come all you bold seamen, and lovers likewise, / Give ear to a ditty that's caused many sighs." Entertaining verses of the path-of-true-love variety; per Philip Gura's article, "Early Nineteenth-Century Printing in Rural Massachusetts: John Howe of Greenwich and Enfield, ca. 1803-18445" (Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, vol. 101, part 1, 1991), "This bears no relation to the novel by the same name. Where Howe obtained the stereotype plates for this work, if it was so printed, is unknown" (Gura, 50). According to Howe's "printer's book," 200 copies of this verse pamphlet (a late example of such from Howe, who had generally moved over to commercial labels and handbills and ads) were printed for Anson F. Newcomb, Feb. 9, 1843. Until the underwater printing press comes into general circulation, no further Enfield imprints will emerge as the town now lies below the Quabbin Reservoir. Trimmed in production a little close along the lower edge.

Price: $150.00