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May 24, 2010

William Morgan: Exposing the Secrets of Freemasonry

A FASCINATING BOUND COLLECTION OF RARE AMERICAN ALMANACS 1799-1808

Collected and signed by one of the accused kidnappers of William Morgan, who disappeared while , and whose death ignited the anti-Freemason movement

The Collection:

1. Robert Bailey Thomas; William Manning; James Loring; John West. The farmer’s almanack, calculated on a new and improved plan, for the year of our Lord, 1799 : … Fitted to the town of Boston, but will serve for any of the adjoining states. … By Robert B. Thomas. Boston : Printed by Manning & Loring, for John West, proprietor of the copy-right, and for sale at his book-store, no. 75, Cornhill, and by the other booksellers in Boston. Sold also by the booksellers in Salem, Newburyport, &c. by the author at Sterling, and at various other places. (Price 7 1/2 dollars per gross, 75 cents per dozen, and 10 cents single.), [1798]. At head of title: No. VII. Advertised in the Massachusetts Mercury, October 30, 1798. Parentheses substituted for square brackets in imprint transcription. Two states noted by the Boston Public Library. This is the FIRST STATE WITH [32-34] contain “Directions for preventing calamities by fire”; and not the second state that changed p. [32-34] to “contain poems and anecdotes. ” It charmingly states, for example, “Do not permit a servant to carry a candle to his bed-room if he sleeps in an unplaistered garret” Collation: A-B⁶ C⁴ D² E⁴ F²;Title vignette. Bookseller’s advertisement, p. [48].

2. Asa Houghton. The gentlemen’s and ladies’ diary, and almanac; with an ephemeris, for the year of the Creation, according to sacred writ, 5762; and of the Christian era, 1800: … Fitted for the latitude and longitude of Boston, (Mass.) but will serve for the adjoining states without sensible variation. Keene (N.H.) : –Printed by John Prentiss. Price, 7 1/2 dols. per gross–75 cents doz.–10 cents single, [1799]

3. Isaiah Thomas’s Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode-Island, Newhampshire & Vermont almanack, with an ephemeris, for the year of our Lord 1801 : … Fitted to the latitude and longitude of the town of Boston … : [Four lines of verse] Printed at Worcester, Massachusetts, : by Isaiah Thomas. Sold by him, and by I. Thomas, Jun. in Worcester; by Thomas & Andrews, S. Hall, West & Greenleaf, E. Larkin, J. Boyle, W. Spotswood, C. Bingham, and at the Boston Bookstore, in Boston; by Thomas and Thomas, Walpole; by T.C. Cushing, Salem; and by the booksellers, in the Newengland states. Price 71/2 dols. per gross -75 cents doz.- 10 cents single., [1800] Signatures: [A]⁴ B² C-H⁴⁻². Bookseller’s advertisement, p. [48]. With a BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GEN G. WASHINGTON, 1st PRESIDENT.

4. Isaiah Thomas’s Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire & Vermont almanack, with an ephemeris, for the year of our Lord 1802. Worcester, Mass. : Printed by Isaiah Thomas, [1801]; this copy bound without title page.

5. Robert Bailey Thomas The farmer’s almanack, calculated on a new and improved plan, for the year of our Lord, 1803 : Fitted to the town of Boston, but will serve for any of the adjoining states. … Boston: : Printed for John West, propietor of the copy-right, and for sale at his book-store, no. 75 Cornhill, and by the other booksellers in Boston. Sold also by the booksellers in Salem, Newburyport, &c. by the author in Sterling, and at various other places. (Price 9 dollars per gross, 87 1/2 cents per dozen, and 12 1/2 cents single.), [1802] , minor loss to lower margin t.p.

6. Dudley Leavitt. The Newhampshire and Vermont almanack, for the year of our Lord 1804 … : Calculated for the meridian of Gilmanton, Newhampshire … [Gilmanton, N.H.] : Printed at Gilmanton, N.H. by Leavitt & Clough., [1803] SCARCE ALMANAC. 7. Asa Houghton. Houghton’s genuine almanac. The gentlemen’s and ladies’ diary, and almanac; with an ephemeris, for the year … 1805 … : Fitted to the latitude and longitude of Boston, (Mass.) … Keene, (N.H.)– : Printed by and for John Prentiss, (the proprietor.) Price, 7 1-2 dolls. per groce, 75 cents doz. and 10 cents single., [1804] WITH THE CHARMING AMERICAN EAGLE EMBLEM.

7. Asa Houghton. Houghton’s genuine almanac. The gentlemen’s and ladies’ diary, and almanac; with an ephemeris, for the year … 1806 … : Fitted to the latitude and longitude of Boston, (Mass.) … Keene, (N.H.)– : Printed by and for John Prentiss, (the proprietor.) Price 7 1-2 dolls. per gross, 75 cents per doz. & 10 cents single., [1805]

8. Asa Houghton; Gilbert Graves Houghton’s genuine almanac. The gentlemen’s and ladies’ diary, and almanac; with an ephemeris, for the year … 1807 … : Fitted to the latitude and longitude of Boston, (Mass.) … Keene, (N.H.)– : Printed by & for John Prentiss, price 7 1-2 dolls. per gross, 75 cents per doz & 10 cents single., [1806]

9. Asa Houghton Houghton’s genuine almanac. The gentlemen’s and ladies’ diary, and almanac; with an ephemeris, for the year … 1808 … : Fitted to the latitude and longitude of Boston. Keene, (N.H.) : Printed by & for John Prentiss. Price 7 1-2 dolls. per gross, 75 cents per doz. & 10 cents single., [1807]

The whole collection, approx. 19.5 cm x 12cm, bound in 19th century calf and boards with wear to spine, worn gilt lettering to spine “Almanacs 1799-1808… J.E. Sawyer.” Overall, a well preserved and rare collection with fascinating provenance. Provenance: Bound with signature to blank flyleaf 1872. of Sawyer, J. E. — of Pontiac, Oakland County, Mich. Republican. Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1884. Additionally, earlier t.p. signature of prominent Mason and accused kidnapper Col. Edward Sawyer, indicating these Almanacs came from his family. Also with loose signed card of Massachusetts railroad magnate Addison Gilmore

Background:

“William Morgan (1774–1826?) was a resident of Batavia, New York, whose disappearance ignited a powerful anti-Freemason movement in the United States in the early 19th century. After stating his intention to write a book exposing Freemasonry’s “secrets”, Morgan was arrested, kidnapped, and then apparently killed. His disappearance sparked a public outcry and launched the formation of a new Anti-Masonic Party…. Three Masons, Loton Lawon, Nicholas Chesebro and Edward Sawyer, were charged with, convicted and served sentences for the kidnapping of Morgan.

“Morgan’s widow Lucinda Pendleton later became one of the plural wives of Mormon church founder Joseph Smith, Jr. Subsequent confrontations between Freemasonry and the Mormon church included controversy surrounding the church’s alleged adoption of Masonic rituals and regalia. William Morgan was given one of the first official baptisms for the dead into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”

The anti-Masonic Party introduced important innovations to American politics, such as nominating conventions and the adoption of party platforms. [Ref: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Morgan_(anti-Mason) ]

“The Sawyer family has long been prominent in Masonry—Colonel Edward Sawyer, the uncle of Joseph Edward, was initiated at the age of twenty-one years, and at the time of his death, February 2, 1885, when ninety-seven years of age, was the second oldest Mason in the United States. He was implicated in the Morgan Conspiracy in 1826 and suffered greatly in the persecution which followed that unfortunate affair. Joseph Edward Sawyer was initiated May 27, 1870, in Pontiac Lodge No. 21, F. & A. M., of which he became Master. He was exalted January 29, 1875, in Oakland Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., of which he became High Priest. He received the Cryptic degrees in Pontiac Council No. 3, R. & S. M., June 28, 1875, and became Thrice Illustrious Master. He was anointed January 15, 1884, in the Council of High Priest of the State of Michigan.” [Ref: Moore, C. History Michagan, Chicago, 1925 Vol III. p. 1525]

May 21, 2010

Printed 1872: The First Guide-Book to New York for Spanish Speakers.

With Map. Exceedingly Rare. Only 1 other Copy recorded by Worldcat

The Book:

Guia de la ciudad de Nueva York. Nueva York : N. Ponce de Leon, 1872. Description: viii, 236, 20, 4 p., plates : map ; 23 p. of advertising at end of book. . 8vo., 17 cm. Original contemporary stamped cloth, stained, textblock loose, some chipping as depicted to head of spine. Overall, a good and complete copy of an important cultural relic.

Néstor Ponce de Leon was the most important publisher of books and pamphlets advancing the revolutionary cause. Ponce de Leon edited liberal magazines and newspapers in Cuba before becoming persecuted. He was pursued by the colonial police, who had found weapons in his house, though he managed to embark for the United States in February 1869 and went into political exile. This exceedingly rare guidebook to New York , that he compiled and published, is the first guidebook printed for New York’s Spanish speaking community.

Worldcat cites only 1 other recorded copy in the New York Historical Society.

April 26, 2010

A 16th CENTURY BIBLE related to George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax

A MAGNIFICENT SIGNED ARMORIAL BINDING BY HERING

The Bible:

Pierre de Saint-André; François Estienne; William T Smedley. Biblia Sacra veteris et noui testamenti : iuxta vulgatam editionem maiori quàm antehac vnquam doctorum studio. Geneuae : Apud Petrum Santandreanum, 1583. A reissue, with a different title page, of an edition of François Estienne, Geneva, 1567. The title page of the New Testament bears the imprint: Ex Officina Francisci Stephanii, 1567. Signatures: *8a-z8A-2H82I4(2I4 blank) 2A-2R8 2S4. Includes indexes. Description: [8], 435, [1], [113] leaves, 1 leaf of plates : ill. (woodcuts), 2 maps ; 8vo. COMPLETE. Occasional staining, some browning, but overall a VERY FINE COMPLETE COPY. PROVENANCE: Likely George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax (who formed the original library at Old Rufford Abbey) with Old Rufford Abbey bookplate. Rufford Abbey is an estate in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England. In 1626, the house was sold to Sir George Savile, and later inhabited by his descendant, the Marquess of Halifax. This copy bears, in fact, the 17th century ownership inscription of John Savile 1666, presumably Sir JOHN SAVILE, 6th Bart., who succeeded to the Thornhill and other estates on the death of his cousin, the 2d Marquis of Halifax. Beautiful signed armorial binding by Hering, bound between 1815 and 1845 when the famous bookbindery was located at 9 Newman St. Charles Hering bound many books for the Prince Regent, George IV, following the style of Roger Payne, binder to George III   [$2500]

March 24, 2010

Rare First Edition, and interleaved copy, of ‘The Splendour of the Ancient City’

The Book:

Lauro, Giacomo. Antiquae urbis splendor, hoc est praecipua ejusdem templa, amphitheatra, theatra, circi … aliaque sumptuosiora aedificia … opera et industria Jacobi Lauri, … in aes incisa atque in lucem edita. Addita est brevis Pusedam … imaginum explicatio, in que regnum, consulum, imperatorumque res gestae et rei romanae origo, … ostenditur. Romae, 1612-1615. 3 Parts in 1 Vol. (A fourth part, devoted to modern Rome, was issued in 1628 with a reprint of the other parts). Oblong Folio, 30 x 23 cm., Contemporary gilt-ruled vellum, front board stiff with slight warping, partial separation of inner textblock form binding, 19th century spine label. 115 plates, not including title, dedications of the 3 parts, Portraits of Sigismund, King of Poland; Emmanuel, Duke of Savoy; and Ranuzio Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza; [1 blank], [4], [4] [115] ff. Interleaved copy with 17th century French manuscript descriptive and explanatory notes, carefully hinged to page preceding each plate. Condition: Some slight browning and spotting, but overall a Very Good copy of the First Edition with the beautiful plates, still unnumbered (first state), in fine impressions.

One of the most influential and beautiful works on the monuments and antiquities of Ancient Rome, the ‘Antiquae urbis splendor’ (‘The splendour of the ancient city’) served as an important reference book and source of inspiration for many writers and artists, both Italian as well as those on the early Grand Tour. The interesting mid-17th century French interleaved notes present in the copy, could have been recorded ( for example only), by an resident Classicist artist in the circle of Nicolas Poussin for later use as a reference. Further research could make a more definitive attribution.
[Sold]

March 24, 2010

HIGHLY IMPORTANT ISLAMIC INFLUENCED VEGETAL BLINDTAMPED BINDING

PRINTED 1489: ONE OF THE EARLIEST ENCYCLOPEDIC TEXTS

The Incunable:
Alexander, of Hales; Giovanni Antonio Beretta; Francesco Girardenghi . Prima pars Alex. de ales. [Summa universae theologiae.] Papie. : Per Joa[n]nemantonium de birretis ac Fra[n]ciscum gyrardenghum., M.cccc.lxxxix. Die. xi. Iulij. Colophon, pt. 1: Per Joa[n]nemantonium de birretis ac Fra[n]ciscum gyrardenghum. Papie. M.cccc.lxxxix.Die. xi. Iulij , 1489),. 22 x 16 cm., small 4to., 223 lvs.,; mimor worming affecting last few leaves., COMPLETE PART I of the SUMMA. Islamic Vegetal tools and Medieval Zoomorphic tooled Blindstamped German Pigskin binding, with Italian-Islamic influence. Light bumping to top of spine, slight peeling to lower right hinge of spine, but overall a VERY GOOD UNRESTORED AND RARE CONTEMPORARY BINDING. Provenance: Private collection for over 50 years (not offered at auction); Price 950 DM c. mid 1950s.

This collected work by Alexander Hales (d. 1245), represents one of the first encyclopedic texts, in part concerned with divine and natural law. The work follows in the tradition of the famous Etymologies of Isidore of Seville (seventh century), and was not doubt written in response the rise of Universities which ignited the passion for such encyclopedic works. Examples of other such encylopedic ‘Summae,’ include various Commentaries of Peter Lombard, the Master of Sentences, as well as works by Ricardus Rufus, St. Thomas, Albertus, Pliny etc.

The Pigskin binding is a Very Rare and Important Example of Islamic-style vegetal patterns on a blind-tooled binding, which drew motifs from “existing traditions of Byzantine culture in the eastern Mediterranean and Sasanian Iran.” Such Islamic style blindstamping preceded the importation of other Gold-tooling techniques from the Islamic world.

One can see parallel stylistic examples in wood of the “beveled style—a symmetrical abstract floral motif” at this link