[Rarebooks] FS: Ames' Astronomical Almanac. Boston: 1771. (w/10 leaves of manuscript)

[Karmbooks at aol.com]

(AMERICANA) Ames, Nathaniel. AN ASTRONOMICAL DIARY; OR ALMANACK FOR THE YEAR 
OF OUR LORD CHRIST 1771. Boston: By the Printers and Booksellers. 1771. 12mo. 
(24)pp. Complete. This copy interleaved with 10 sheets containing a manuscript 
account book for an un-named Boston merchant (see below). Self wrappers, 
stabbed and tied at inner margin. A bit soiled.     $750.00 (trade discount 
allowed)
The manuscript additions, on 20 pages, are dated November 15, 1770, to 
October 3, 1771. In addition to business account matters there are numerous diary 
entries such as, “Delivered the sloop to Mr. John Short, Samuel Hogg Master & 
took his security for all damages.” This 1771 Ames ALMANACK is noted for the 
first printing of Benjamin Franklin’s self-composed epitaph: “The Body of 
Benjamin Franklin, Printer, Like the Covering of an Old Book.” The back cover prints 
a remedy for Rattle-snake bite. Evans 11548. Drake 3197.   Some 
scholar/sleuth of 18th. century mercantile Boston should be able to figure out the 
authorship of these accounts.

Kenneth Karmiole, Bookseller, Inc.
P.O. Box 464
Santa Monica, CA 90406
Tel. (310) 451-4342; Fax. (310) 458-5930
Email: karmbooks at aol.com