The Simple Cobler of Aggawam in America.

Boston: James Munroe and Company, 1843. Deftly manipulating the cobbler trope, Ward offers to "help mend his native country... both in the upper-leather and sole." Nathaniel Ward was born in England but emigrated to Massachusetts in 1634 after having been reprimanded by the Bishop of London. Already in his 60s, he served for two years as the first minister in Ipswich. After the English Civil War Ward returned to England, where he died in 1652. His eccentric and essentially conservative "Simple Cobler" was first published in England in 1647 under the alias Theodore de la Guard. It was reprinted in Boston in 1713. This edition was published edited by David Pulsifer who used "One of the earlier editions and that of 1713... in preparing the present edition... the author made several additions... which will be found in this now issued." Antiquarian and Ipswich native Pulsifer has inscribed this copy to his friend Augustus Dodge Rogers on the front blank. On the paste down is the bookplate of William Crowninshield Endicott Jr. a president of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Bound as issued in blind stamped cloth with gold spine lettering. Scattered interior foxing, particularly on early pages. Front joint and spine ends rubbed.. 19.5 cm. vi, (4), 96 pp.