Carey, Mathew

1 page (9 1/4 x 7 3/8 in.; 233 x 187 mm) on a bifolium, Philadelphia, 27 April 1805, to Messrs. Charles R. and George Webster of Albany, the integral leaf with a printed bill of lading accomplished by a clerk and signed by James Warren, master of the sloop Magdalen, on the recto and Carey's autograph address panel on the verso; tiny seal tear, some very light browning and staining. Tipped to a larger leaf bearing an engraved portrait of Carey.

acquisition: Paul C. Richards, ca. 1980

1 page (9 1/4 x 7 3/8 in.; 233 x 187 mm), Philadelphia, 27 April 1805, to Messrs. Charles R. and George Webster of Albany, the integral leaf with a printed bill of lading accomplished by a clerk and signed by James Warren, master of the sloop Magdalen, on the recto and Carey's autograph address panel on the verso; tiny seal tear, some very light browning and staining. Tipped to a larger leaf bearing an engraved portrait of Carey.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The business of printing the Bible: One of the most important early American printers of the Bible sends a shipment of his volumes to an Albany bookseller and tries to stifle competition. Mathew Carey emigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1784. He shortly established a printing shop and book store in Philadelphia and the King James Bible, in various formats, became on the staples of his press. He is most noted for published, 1790, the first American edition of the Douay Bible. 

Carey here informs the Webster brothers that their order is on the way: "You will herewith receive Bills of Lading for two Boxes & three paper parcels wh. I wish safe to hand. The Box & three parcels, on board the Magdelan, contain one groce of Bibles & the two Dozen parchments. The other groce was on board the … Montgomery, & I presume reached you long since. The Box on board the Sarah & Eliza, contains a supply of cheap family Bibles, invoice annexed. … You may expect a further supply of cheap quarto Bibles shortly."

Like Carey, the Websters were printers as well booksellers and after suggesting an exchange of printed works for sale, Carey appeals to them not to become competitors in the Bible business: "I have been told you contemplate printing a quarto Bible. Do pray have mercy on a man who has embarked the hard earnings of a quarter of a century in that work, & who has a family of children depending upon his labour."