GODWYN, MORGAN. 'THE NEGRO’S & INDIANS ADVOCATE, SUING FOR THEIR ADMISSION INTO THE CHURCH: OR A PERSUASIVE TO THE INSTRUCTING AND BAPTIZING OF THE NEGRO’S AND INDIANS IN OUR PLANTATIONS. SHEWING, THAT AS THE COMPLIANCE THEREWITH CAN PREJUDICE NO MANS JUST INTEREST; SO THE WILLFUL NEGLECTING AND OPPOSING OF IT, IS NO LESS THAN A MANIFEST APOSTACY FROM THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. TO WHICH IS ADDED, A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF RELIGION IN VIRGINIA'. LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY J[OHN]. D[ARBY]. AND ARE TO BE SOLD BY MOST BOOKSELLERS, 1680

8vo (7 x 4 1/2 in.; 179 x 115 mm). Some scattered stains and foxing, tiny wormhole at foot of title-page, lower fore-edge corner of C1 torn away, lacking initial blank. Contemporary mottled sheep, covers with blind-ruled border with floret cornerpieces, spine gilt-ruled with later label and gilt date, red-sprinkled edges, plain endpapers; extremities a bit worn.

Edward Joshua Cooper of Markree Castle, Co. Sligo, Ireland (armorial bookplate, press-ticket)

Church 663; ESTC R21645; 'European Americana' 680/87; Sabin 27677; Wing G971

8vo (7 x 4 1/2 in.; 179 x 115 mm). Some scattered stains and foxing, tiny wormhole at foot of title-page, lower fore-edge corner of C1 torn away, lacking initial blank. Contemporary mottled sheep, covers with blind-ruled border with floret cornerpieces, spine gilt-ruled with later label and gilt date, red-sprinkled edges, plain endpapers; extremities a bit worn.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.

First edition of an important and very scarce text advocating the Christian conversion of both slaves and American Indians: no copy is recorded in the Anglo-American auction records since 1952. Godwyn was an Anglican missionary who served in Virginia and Barbados.