(Magna Carta) | The first American printing

(Magna Carta)

English Liberties, or the Free-born Subject's Inheritance; containing Magna Charta, Charta de Foresta, the Statute de Tallagio non concedendo, the Habeas Corpus Act, and several other Statutes; with comments on each of them. … Compiled first by Henry Care, and continued, with large additions, by W. N. … The fifth edition. Boston: Printed by J. Franklin for N. Buttelph, B. Eliot, and D. Henchman, 1721

12mo (165 x 102 mm). Title within double-ruled border; scattered spotting throughout. Contemporary sheep, roll-tooled in blind near joints; spine dry with minor losses. 

The first American printing of Magna Carta, very likely typeset by Benjamin Franklin while an apprentice in his brother’s shop. The Magna Carta came to represent the idea that the people can assert their rights against an oppressive ruler and that the power of government can be limited to protect those rights. These concepts were clearly foundational and central to both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

REFERENCE

Campbell X18; Church 880; ESTC W31880; Evans 2208; Sabin 10819

PROVENANCE

Oakes Angier (signature on front free endpaper and title-page)