Lot 139
  • 139

Paine, Thomas [editor]

Estimate
15,000 - 18,000 USD
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Description

  • The Pennsylvania Magazine or American Monthly Museum. MDCCLXXV. Volume 1. Philadelphia: Robert Aitken, 1775
  • paper, ink, leather
12 issues and 1 supplement (January–December 1775), 8vo (7 15/16 x 4 15/16 in.; 200 x 125 mm). Engraved vignette by Robert Aitken on volume title-page, 14 (of 15 - lacking "A Correct View of the last Battle of Charlestown") engraved maps and plates (9 folding). [with]: The Pennsylvania Magazine or American Monthly Museum. MDCCLXXVI. Volume 2. Philadelphia: Robert Aitken, 1776. 7 issues (January–july 1776), 8vo (7 15/16 x 4 15/16 in.; 200 x 125 mm). 5 engraved maps and plates (3 folding). BINDING: Old marbled boards bound in period style half-calf, spine in six compartments, red lettering piece, many original gray wrappers present. PROVENANCE: J. Elmer (signature in brown ink to endpaper of Volume 1) — James Hamilton (signature in brown ink to wrapper) — William Allen (signature in brown ink to wrapper) 

Signatures clipped from volume title-page and preface, minor browning, some foxing throughout, pp. 283 misnumbered but present, "Charles River" map with some loss primarily to margin not affecting image, close tear to Xx4. — Signatures clipped from volume title-page and preface, browning and staining throughout, tear to margin of C2 with some minor loss of text, pp. 145-7 misnumbered but present. Full brown calf, spine rebacked, lacking original wrappers. Housed in quarter morocco and red cloth slipcase, red cloth book chemises.

Provenance

J. Elmer (signature in brown ink to endpaper of Volume 1); James Hamilton (signature in brown ink to wrapper); William Allen (signature in brown ink to wrapper) 

Literature

Stauffer 3-7, 9-10, 2934, 2159, 3328, 2551; Fielding, 5-7, 10 (Robert Aitken), 1481-2, 1485 (James Smither)

Catalogue Note

SIGNED BY JAMES HAMILTON, MAYOR OF PHILADELPHIA AND A GOVERNOR OF THE PENNSYLVANIA COLONY, AND WILLIAM ALLEN, JUSTICE OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND MAYOR OF PHILADELPHIA DURING THE COLONIAL PERIOD. The only magazine issued in the American colonies during the volatile year of 1775. Its importance among American Revolutionary era publications is twofold: first, it was edited by Thomas Paine from February 1775 until May 1776 at the same as he was writing Common Sense; second, it contains some of the most significant and earliest revolutionary war maps printed in America. The Pennsylvania Magazine was founded by Robert Aitken, best known for his work as a printer for the Continental Congress. Aitken launched the periodical himself but found the work overwhelming and so he hired Paine as editor. He quickly became a major contributor as well, writing sometimes under the initials "A.B." or pseudonym "Atlanticus" and sometimes altogether anonymously.The tenor of many of his articles was archly anti-monarchical but he also contributed pieces of a non-political nature. Rare. Only one complete run of volume one (but without the supplement) has appeared at auction in nearly four decades and individual issues are often found lacking the plates.