An Estimate of the Manners and Principles of the Times . . . The Seventh Edition.
Boston, New-England: Re-Printed and Sold by Green and Russell, 1758. First American edition, published the year after the London first edition. Original sprinkled calf, morocco spine label, raised bands, gilt spine rules and lettering, [iv], [9]-110 pages (as published). Somewhat rubbed, boards a bit bowed; a little fraying to the edges of a few leaves, some spotting and foxing; a very good copy in a handsome contemporary binding. Item #19964
An uncommon example of popular literature printed and published in America (rather than imported) and in a handsome American binding. Brown’s satirical work went through a tremendous vogue—indeed, he is remembered by his nickname Estimate Brown—with six editions appearing within a year of publication (the second edition following the first by a mere two weeks). Brown makes some points no doubt of interest to the colonial American reader, including thoughts on religious life, commerce, and liberty. For a brief summary of Brown’s wildly productive but ultimately tragic life (he cut his own throat in a fit of melancholia after gout delayed his plans to reform the Russian empire’s educational system), see S. C. Roberts, “Some Uncollected Authors XXIV: ‘Estimate ‘ Brown, 1715-1776.” The Book Collector. Vol. 9, no. 2 (Summer 1960): 180-187. A couple of later ownership signatures on the front free endpaper. Evans 8094; ESTC W32073; see Roberts 10n.
Price: $450.00