(The Pennsylvania Magazine)

The Pennsylvania Magazine or American Monthly Museum. MDCCLXXV. Volume 1, ed. Thomas Paine. Philadelphia: Robert Aitken,  1775

12 issues and 1 supplement (January–December 1775), 8vo (8 x 4 3/4 in.; 202 x 120 mm). Engraved vignette by Robert Aitken on volume title-page, 15 engraved maps and plates (8 folding); signatures clipped from volume title-page and preface, volume title-page and preface guarded, moderate to severe browning and staining affecting text and plates, moderate to severe browning and staining throughout,  one corner each of "Description of a New Invented machine" (May) and "A Correct View of the Late Battle at Charlestown June 17th 1775" (September) supplied in expert facsimile, a few old repairs to marginal tears on "A New Invented Machine for spinning" (April). Old marbled boards bound in period style half calf, the spine in six compartments, red lettering piece. 

M. Horton (contemporary signature on title-page of January issue). Acquisition: William Reese

12 issues and 1 supplement (January–December 1775), 8vo (8 x 4 3/4 in.; 202 x 120 mm). Engraved vignette by Robert Aitken on volume title-page, 15 engraved maps and plates (8 folding); signatures clipped from volume title-page and preface, volume title-page and preface guarded, moderate to severe browning and staining affecting text and plates, moderate to severe browning and staining throughout, one corner each of "Description of a New Invented machine" (May) and "A Correct View of the Late Battle at Charlestown June 17th 1775" (September) supplied in expert facsimile, a few old repairs to marginal tears on "A New Invented Machine for spinning" (April). Old marbled boards bound in period style half calf, the spine in six compartments, red lettering piece.
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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 (see lot 119); second, it contains some of the most significant and earliest revolutionary war maps printed in America. Of major importance is "A Correct View of the Late Battle at Charlestown, June 17th, 1775" depicting the battle of Bunker Hill and the burning of the town of Charleston. It is based on a drawing by Bernard Romans, an engineer and mapmaker best known for his book on Florida, and appeared in the September issue.

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.