Very desirable Second Edition [with additions] of Cooper's History of North America for the young begins by speculating that future generations will perhaps view the late revolution in North America, as the most singular phenomenon that ever appeared in the political hemisphere of any nation." The majority of the volume is dedicated to America’s struggle for independence, citing passages from the Declaration of Independence and focusing on Revolutionary battles. The volumes six engraved plates also orbit around the American Revolution, illustrating the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and other key moments in the struggle for liberty.
This 1795 edition is not simply a reprint of the edition of 1780. It concludes with a description of treaties signed in 1783, indicating additions were made, make it a unique imprint. Evans 28480. Howes C761. Sabin 16583. Rosenbach, Early American Children’s Books, 188.
The unsigned frontispiece, “America Trampling on Oppression,” has been attributed to engraver Thomas Wightman. The remainder of the engravings, the Metropolitan Museum of Art attributes to Paul Revere, the famed Patriot Silversmith of the American Revolution.
Cooper, William. The History of North America. Containing a Review of the Customs and Manners of the Original Inhabitants; The First Settlement of the British Colonies, Their Rise and Progress from the Earliest Period to the Time of Their Becoming United, Free and Independent States. Laningsburgh, New York. Silvester Tiffany, for, and sol by Thomas Spencer at his Book-Store, Albany. 1795. 159pp.
Original plain calf binding in a good + to very good state; some rubbing at extremities, bumped at corners, 1/2 in surface breach at base of front hinge. Very solid. Prelims contain on the fly leaf an 1801 inscription for John Neal, on the reverse of the fly leaf another for John Neal "Born in Banth, March the 24th AD 1767. Betty Neal Born Feby 25 AD 1773" Then the blank preceding the frontis containing a brief genealogy of the Neal family, beginning in 1791 [also John, likely son of the previous] and then Polly, Samuel, Arthur, David, Betty, Peleg, and Daniel [likely all children of John and Betty from the preceding]. Tide mark to upper gutter for first few leaves, impacting the frontis, then on foredge for the second half of the text block. Handled, as usual for juvenile volume.
Plate one, "America Trampling Oppression is clear and crisp but with tide mark as shown and foxing to lower right. Plate two, "Americans throwing the Cargoes of the Tea Ships into the River at Bolton" is toned and torn across the image; handled. "Amen" written in lower margin, not impacting image. Plate three, "Battle of Bunker Hill" is handled, but clean and crisp generally with a small marginal tear. Plate four, "Death of Gen.l Montgomery is handled with tear extending into lower left corner of the image. Plate five, "Destruction of the Randolph Frigate" is handled, loss in margin, not impacting image. Insription in plate margin, not touching image itself. Plate six, "Defeat of De Grasse" is clean and good with period note in plate margin, having the downstroke just into the topof the plate.
Another on the market at over $1,500 in similar condition.