Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
Imprint entitled, "An Astronomical Diary or Almanack for the Year of Our Lord Christ 1772," containing (3) Paul Revere Engravings, plus including the historically important "Letters From a Pennsylvania Farmer" having a portrait of John Dickinson, and a cut of "Mrs. Catharine McCaulay," plus the cover illustration of the dwarf Emma Leach, as compiled by Nathaniel Ames, VG. This rarely offered, original Boston almanac, was published late in 1771. It contains 24 printed pages, with some contemporary note pages at its conclusion, measures 6" x 4" and includes 3 different authentic, original recognized Engravings (unsigned) by Paul Revere, as recognized in Brigham. The American Antiquarian Society says of this almanac: "One of two editions of Ames for 1772, the other printed for Ezekiel Russell. This edition is presumably that of Fleets, Edes, and Gill, although there is no printer's imprint. It is doubtlessly the pirated edition anticipated by Russell." Illustrations of John Dickinson, and Mrs. Catherine M'Caulay, both full page. They are copies or versions of the three cuts in Russell's editions of Ames, two of which were by Paul Revere. Evidently these versions are also by Revere, as an entry in his Day Book for December 21, 1771, records a charge against Edes and Gill, 'to engraving 3 plates for Ames' almanack.' The evidence suggests that Edes & Gill secured a copy of Russell's edition on the day it appeared, and ordered reproductions of the plates from Paul Revere." There is the Revere engraved plate of Mrs. Catherine M'Caulay, who was a popular British historian, sympathetic to the rights of the Americans. The full-page metal cut of "The Patriotic American Farmer. J-N D-K-NS-N, Esq; Barrister at Law" contains the text lines, "Who with attic eloquence, and Roman spirit, hath affected the Liberties of the British Colonies in America," and is followed by the poem, "Tis nobly done to stem Taxation's rage, and raise the thoughts of a degenerate age, For Happiness and Joy, from Freedom spring; But Life in Bondage is a worthless Thing." "Letters From a Pennsylvania Farmer" - Voices of dissent over Parliament's growing authority upon the colonies in America were heard long before the colonists' actual act of independence. One of those voices was that of John Dickenson. A preeminent Philadelphia lawyer, Dickenson was elected to the Pennsylvania legislature in 1762 where he was active in protesting British policies. Attending the Stamp Act Congress in 1765, he advocated commercial retaliation. Dickenson's writings entitled Letters from a Pennsylvania Farmer were published in newspapers in 1767 and 1768. Though conciliatory in tone, his Letters made clear that Britain's policies were wrong and deprived the colonies of their lawful rights. Ultimately, Letters from a Farmer urge united action on the part of the colonists. The letter that appears here is the very first Letter in his series. It appears in the Boston Chronicle of December 21, 1767. As it happens, this is also the very first issue published by the Chronicle. While the actual year does not appear on the newspaper's masthead, note "Vol. 1 and No. 1" at each of its sides.
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