Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - October - 2012 Issue

Books from a Concord Bibliophile from Sotheran's

Percy Whiting Brown's History of Rowe.

Percy Whiting Brown's History of Rowe.

We all know of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, but not the battle between Lexington and Concord. Rev. Ezra Ripley was not unwilling to step into this silly battle of civic pride. His book is A History of the Fight at Concord... Evidently, an earlier book was giving too much credit, in Ripley's eyes, to Lexington as being the site of the start of the revolution, and he wanted to give credit to his hometown of Concord. This smacks of a petty dispute forgotten by a history that now refers to the battle with the names of both towns. Item 3, published in 1827. £150 (US $241).

Supporters of both Lexington and Concord got their comeuppance a few years later from Josiah Adams. Item 4 is Adams' An Address Delivered in Acton, July 21, 1835. It seems Adams' position was that the first to fall at Concord were three citizens of Acton, who had come over to help defend their neighboring town. Acton should be given its due. Perhaps the Battle of Lexington, Concord and Acton would be more suitable. Item 4. £195 (US $314).

Sotheran's may be reached at 020 7439 6151 or mstjcj@sotherans.co.uk. Their website is found at www.sotherans.co.uk.

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