THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: Published in the August 1776 issue of "The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure"; [one of the earliest printings of the complete, unaltered document to appear in a London magazine - included in a nearly complete run of bound half-year volumes from 1770 - 1780]

London: John Hinton, (1770 - 1782). First edition of each. 20 half-year volumes published from Jan. 1770 to Dec. 1780 (i.e., six monthly issues in each) COVERING BRITISH REACTION TO AND VERSIONS OF INCIDENTS LEADING UP TO AND DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Missing only 2 volumes from an 11-year run. "The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure" was a British monthly published from 1747 to 1814 that covered all manner of subjects and news both "Instructive and Entertaining." This early British printing of the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE appears in the August 1776 issue, Vol. 59, pp. 91-93, under the heading "American Intelligence," preceded by a play synopsis and followed by a section of poetry and music. Its appearance in the index is equally subtle -- perhaps owing to the delicacy of printing anything that might be construed as opposing King George. It's unobtrusively listed twice in the index among various items under sub-headings "Americans" and "Colonies" as "their declaration 91 - style themselves independent 93." THE 20 VOLUMES COLLECTED HERE represent a wide range of reportage on issues relating to the American fight for independence, interspersed with local and worldwide news, entertainment, natural history, science, etc. EACH VOLUME IS APPROXIMATELY 375 pages and includes the twice-yearly "Supplement" issue with further content, indexes for the preceding 6 months, and directions for binding each half-year volume. THIS NEARLY COMPLETE RUN of 108 issues in 20 bound volumes with Supplements includes JANUARY 1770 to JUNE 1773, Vols. 46-52 (Vol. 53, Jul-Dec 1773 missing); JANUARY 1774 to JUNE 1775, Vols. 54-56 (Vol. 57, Jul-Dec 1775 missing); and JANUARY 1776 to DECEMBER 1780, Vols. 58-67. The magazine was illustrated with various single and folding plates showing busts of noted figures, coats of arms, animals, vegetation, manner of attire, views of various areas and architecture, illustrations from books and plays, scientific and mechanical items, methods of manufacture, maps, etc., some of which were colored. Quite a number of the plates were previously removed from these volumes - most notably ALL OF THE MAPS ARE MISSING, as are most of the coats of arms and animal illustrations (a few of the latter two remain). There are still significant illustrations included, most NOTABLY STILL PRESENT is folding plate "A VIEW OF THE CITY OF BOSTON THE CAPITAL OF NEW ENGLAND" in the March 1775 issue illustrating a 6-page article, "Observations on the State of Boston, Massachuset's-Bay [sic], and Other Colonies"; and "HEAD OF DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN" in the September 1777 issue, illustrating Chapter XII of "A Concise History..." (see more on below): "Dr. Franklin's Conduct amid the American Troubles--His Interesting Letters to Governor Shirley--Disturbances in the Colonies on Account of the Revenue Laws--Resolutions of the Inhabitants of Boston" (6 pp.). Also present in these volumes are the FIRST 45 CHAPTERS of "A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE PRESENT UNHAPPY DISPUTES BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE AMERICAN COLONIES," beginning with Chapter I in the October 1776 issue. (The series ran to 67 chapters and concluded in June 1783 as "A Concise History of the Origin and Progress of the late Civil War between Great Britain and America"). It's difficult to adequately describe the breadth of material in these volumes. Each one has descriptions of battles in America and reportage on battles around the world; descriptions of actions in Parliament and activities of the King; monthly Stock Prices charts; poems, songs, advice on conduct, gossip, trials, Histories of England; etc., etc., etc. THE 1770 VOLUMES ALONE reprint the LETTERS OF JUNIUS from the Public Advertiser and cover the trial of the original publisher of the letters; cover the trial of Ebenezer Richardson, print extracts of 2 letters giving wholly different accounts of the Boston Massacre, and cover the acquittal of Captain Preston for his actions therein; print a brief abstract of the partial repeal of the Townshend Revenue Act that, notably, retained the duties on tea; print a letter of thanks to South Carolina from the "Society of the Gentlemen Supporters of the Bill of Rights in London" for its donation (which lead to the "Wilkes Fund Controversy"); and print an abstract from Edmund Burke's "Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents" (7 pp.). Twenty 8vo volumes uniformly bound in quarter vellum with marbled paper sides and all edges red; hand numbered and dated on spines. Spines and edges considerably worn but all bindings still sound. Evidence of bookplate removal in each (exposing the boards in some). There is the occasional chip, tear or small hole but, for the most part, the text blocks are remarkably free from wear. ALSO INCLUDED is a defective copy of the Jan.-Jun. 1881 volume with Chapters 46 to 51 of "A Concise History," a PORTRAIT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, and folding plate depicting the DEATH OF CAPTAIN COOK (missing unrelated pages). ALSO a defective copy (nearly disbound) of the Jan.-Jun. 1882 volume with Chapters 56 to 61 of "A Concise History," extracts from Robert Robinson's "A Political Catechism," various discussions and debates about the war and American independence, etc.