first edition
1790 · Hartford
by Winthrop, John
Hartford: Elisha Babcock, 1790. First Edition. Good in full leather (calf) covered boards with scant remnants of the original, gilt stamped spine label. A small octavo of 7 3/4 by 4 7/8 with the front joint broken so that the front board is only held on by one sewing cord. The first free end page is loose on which there are notes in pencil. The second free end page has an early prior owner's name in pencil near its top edge. The rear hinge and joint remain tight and strong. There is an early prior owner's book plate on the front paste down with a separate page typed within this copy indicating that the book plate was that of George Richard Minot (1758-1802) whose name has been cut out of the book plate as well as from the upper edge of the title page. The contents are only slightly tanned and largely free of foxing. Overall, the pages are very clean and free of any damage. 364 pages of text followed by four pages of "contents". Both Sabin and Howes report that the "original edition was edited by Noah Webster" and Howes states that copies of this title are considered "quite scarce". John Winthrop (1588-1649) was the first Governor of Massachusetts. He maintained a journal recording events beginning in March, 1630 to 1644 which relate to the history and development of the New England states during that period making this an extremely valuable resource. This title published his journal for the first time. (Howes, W-583; Sabin, 104847; Evans, 23086)
(Inventory #: TB29440)