Very desirable Second Edition [with additions] of Cooper's History of North America, comprising what is essentially the first history of the American Revolution designed for the young. After a brief section describing in the Native Americans' physical appearance, general deportment, conflicts, and death rituals, etc., the author speculates that future generations will likely 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 battles of the Revolutionary War. 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. Lansingburgh, New York. Silvester Tiffany, for, and sold 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 as shown, bumped at corners and rubbed through.Very solid. Prelims contain on the fly leaf an early inscription of William Wallace and the rear an inscription, apparently by Wallace, noting his purchase of the book from Richard Phillips and having a brief account of the books contents.
Fly leaf is missing about 1 inch at head, probably torn for piece of scrap or excising a signature, 1 inch tear at lower margin on p.3; p.28/29 with corner tear and repair;
Plate one, "America Trampling Oppression. Plate two, "Americans throwing the Cargoes of the Tea Ships into the River at Bolton." Plate three, "Battle of Bunker Hill." Plate four, "Death of Gen.l Montgomery." Plate five, "Destruction of the Randolph Frigate." Plate six, "Defeat of De Grasse."
This edition sold at Bonhams, 2006, for just a smidge over $1,550.00.
