Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - April - 2007 Issue

More Uncommon American Imprints from David Lesser Antiquarian Books

Catalogue 96 of Rare Americana from David Lesser Antiquarian Books.


By Michael Stillman

The 96th catalogue from Connecticut bookseller David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books has recently been released. Like other Lesser catalogues, this one is headed Rare Americana. No need to change a title that is perfectly descriptive. David Lesser further describes his material as "significant and unusual imprints relating to America" and this, too, is true. Once again he has put together a collection of the obscure and unusual, and yet many relate to some of the most important events and debates in American history. This is a catalogue for anyone with a love for Americana, great for reading, and great for collecting. Here are just a few of the items offered.

Lesser's catalogues always seem to start with something from John Adams. They are alphabetical in order, and Adams must be the first significant American alphabetically. Item 1 is a Message from the President...Relative to the Requisition for and Delivery of Jonathan Robbins... Robbins was a British seaman who participated in a mutiny in which some other Brits were killed. He landed in South Carolina where he was seized by federal authorities. Robbins argued that he could not be held accountable as he was an American who had been illegally impressed into service by the British. The former colonial masters still maintained at the time that those born in the old colonies could be impressed into the service of the British Navy, which they forcibly did to many American seamen. It did not make the British popular in America. When President Adams turned Robbins over to them, it created quite an uproar. It was likely one of the factors in Adams' loss in the 1800 election. In Adams' defense, Robbins was a liar, an Irishman not an American, and there was an extradition treaty in place. Nevertheless, Adams turning him over to a nation with whom America was in something of a cold war, without going through a court or impartial judge, did not set well with many Americans. As for poor Robbins, he was quickly hanged by the British. Adams' message is priced at $275.

Item 95 was an ignored Speech of [William Pitt]... to His Majesty, to Give Immediate Orders for Removing His Troops from Boston Forthwith, in Order to Quiet the Minds and Take Away the Apprehensions of His Good Subjects in America. Pitt called for the removal of British troops from Boston, the repeal of taxes implemented without the consent of the colonists, and the display of a friendlier attitude towards them. This 1775 speech before the House of Lords was quite ignored, as King George had his own response for the rebellious colonists. It didn't work that well. $2,500.

Edward Rushton was a remarkable English humanitarian of two centuries ago. As a young man, he went to sea, a man noted for his skill and courage. However, a trip on a slave ship appalled him. Unlike most sailors who simply did their jobs, he was horrified by the conditions of the slaves. He became an outspoken opponent of slavery and the impressment of sailors, as well as a supporter of the revolutions in America and France. His role in bringing food to slaves on a ship suffering from the disease of opthalmia led to his own blindness, but not even this inhibited his tireless efforts on behalf of those less fortunate. He became humanity's conscience, challenging even those with the greatest reputations, such as radical reformer Thomas Paine.

Rare Book Monthly

  • Fonsie Mealy’s
    Summer Rare Book
    & Collectors’ Sale
    July 30-31, 2024
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: U.S. / European Shipping Archive 1800-1814. The Widow Bermingham & Sons Collection. €7,000 to €10,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Bunreacht na hÉireann. Constitution of Ireland. An important copy of the First Printing of De Valera’s new Constitution, approved in 1938. Signed by the Constitution Cabinet. €7,000 to €9,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: A Rare Complete Run of the Cuala Press Broadsides. €7,000 to €9,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s
    Summer Rare Book
    & Collectors’ Sale
    July 30-31, 2024
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Grose (Francis). The Antiquities of Ireland, 2vols. folio London (for S. Hooper) 1791. Magnificent Hand-Coloured Copy - Only 25 Copies. €3,000 to €5,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Cantillon (Richard). Essai sur la Nature du Commerce en General, Traduit de l'Anglois, Sm. 8vo London (Fletcher Gyles) 1756. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Gregory, (Lady Augusta). Spreading the News: The Rising of the Moon: The Poorhouse (with Douglas Hyde). Being Vol. IX of the Abbey Theatre Series. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s
    Summer Rare Book
    & Collectors’ Sale
    July 30-31, 2024
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Lavery (Lady Hazel). A moving series of three A.L.S. and a Telegram to Gen. Eoin O'Duffy, July-August 1927, expressing her grief at the death of Kevin O'Higgins. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Dampier (Wm.) Nouveau Voyage Autour du Monde, ou l'on descrit en particulier l'Isthme de l'Amerique…, 2 vols. in one, Amsterdam, 1698. €800 to €1,200.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Howell (James). Instructions for Forreine Travel Shewing by what Cours, and in what Compasse of Time…, London, 1642. €800 to €1,200.
    Fonsie Mealy’s
    Summer Rare Book
    & Collectors’ Sale
    July 30-31, 2024
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Rowling (J.K.) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 8vo, L. (Bloomsbury) 1999, First Edn., First Printing of Deluxe Collectors Edn. Signed. €800 to €1,200.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: James (Wm.) A Full and Correct Account of the Military Occurrences of The Late War Between Great Britain and The United States of America. 2 vols. Lond. 1818. €650 to €900.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: The Laws of the United States, Published by Authority, 3 vols. Philadelphia (Richard Folwell) 1796. €600 to €800.

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