[Rarebooks] FS: Penn's Fruits of Solitude, Newport, 1749, with contemporary inscription and curse

[Powers Rare Books]

I can offer...

      [PENN, William].  Some Fruits of Solitude, in Reflections and 
Maxims, Relating to the Conduct of Human Life.  In Two Parts.  Newport, 
RI: Printed by James Franklin, at the Town School-House, 1749.

      The eighth edition.  12mo, contemporary sheep over boards, the 
rear board replaced and the spine with a repair at the foot.  [xii], 
158, [7] pp., [3] blank, [vi], 108, [2] pp.  Small nick to the foredge 
of leaf B1 with no loss text; leaf P3 trimmed close at the lower margin 
just touching the signature mark and catchword; G4 in the second part 
torn at lower corner, costing three or four words.  The final printed 
leaf (index) with a horizontal tear that affects a couple of words, 
expertly repaired; the final blank has been renewed on the recto, not 
affecting the final inscription (see below).  Evans 6392.

      Printed by James Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's nephew and 
apprentice and son of the first printer in Rhode Island.  "During a 
seven-week visit to New England in the early autumn of 1733 Franklin 
had 'a very cordial and affectionate' reunion with his brother James, 
now settled with his press in Newport, Rhode Island.  James, his health 
worsening, asked that at his death Benjamin take his little son Jamey 
into his home and instruct him in the printing business.  This Franklin 
did.  First he sent him to school, then accepted him as an apprentice 
in his Philadelphia shop in 1740, and in 1748 sent him back with new 
types to Newport where is mother, 'Sister Ann,' had been conducting the 
family business" (Miller, p. xxv).  James Franklin was apprenticed to 
his more famous uncle at the ripe old age of ten, on November 5, 1740 
(his Apprenticeship Bond with Benjamin is pictured on p. 92 of Miller's 
"Benjamin Franklin's Philadephia Printing").
      This copy is all the more charming for the two ownership 
inscriptions, both by the same gentleman: one recording the purchase 
and price in the date of publication, the last in the birth-year of our 
country with a curse.    The inscription on the first blank reads, 
"Daniel Willets his book.  Bought at New York cost 1/3 in the year 
1749."  The second, on the rear blank, says, "Daniel Willet His Book: 
1776.  Steal not this Book / for fear of shame / For hear we have / the 
owner's name."  $1350.00

Images:  http://home.comcast.net/~powersrarebooks/Penn.htm

Cheers,
Greg Powers
Powers Rare Books
344 Orange Street
Manchester NH  03104
603-624-9707
powersrarebooks at comcast.net