Details
FRANKLIN, Benjamin (1706-1790). Poor Richard 1737. An Almanack For the Year of Christ 1737, Being the First after Leap Year. Philadelphia: Benjamin Franklin, [1736].
Foolscap 8o in 4s (158 x 102 mm). (Lacks final leaf, C2-3 reversed, foredge of one leaf and spine silked.) Disbound; quarter morocco folding case.
The fifth Poor Richard Almanac and as with all of the early issues, VERY RARE. The illustration of a Rattlesnake leaf on p.4, accompanying the essay, is the first occurrence of Benjamin Franklin reproducing the likeness of an actual leaf in cast metal, and "looks forward to his successful use later of a series of different leaf castings in printing the provincial paper currency" (Miller). The contents are: p. 1 title; 2-3 preface; 3 anatomy of man's body (illustrated); 4-5 essay on rattlesnake herb; 5 planets' motions; 6 hints for those who would be rich; 7-18 January-December; 19 eclipses; 19-20 court days in Middle Colonies; 21 general meetings, fairs; 22 explanations for enigmatical prophecies in Poor Richard for 1736; 23 (lacking) catalogue of European royalty; and 24 (lacking) roads northeastward and southwestward. Copies in any condition are all very rare, with only four appearing in American Book Prices Current in the last thirty years and of those only two complete. Evans 4017; Ford 31; Miller 121.
Foolscap 8o in 4s (158 x 102 mm). (Lacks final leaf, C2-3 reversed, foredge of one leaf and spine silked.) Disbound; quarter morocco folding case.
The fifth Poor Richard Almanac and as with all of the early issues, VERY RARE. The illustration of a Rattlesnake leaf on p.4, accompanying the essay, is the first occurrence of Benjamin Franklin reproducing the likeness of an actual leaf in cast metal, and "looks forward to his successful use later of a series of different leaf castings in printing the provincial paper currency" (Miller). The contents are: p. 1 title; 2-3 preface; 3 anatomy of man's body (illustrated); 4-5 essay on rattlesnake herb; 5 planets' motions; 6 hints for those who would be rich; 7-18 January-December; 19 eclipses; 19-20 court days in Middle Colonies; 21 general meetings, fairs; 22 explanations for enigmatical prophecies in Poor Richard for 1736; 23 (lacking) catalogue of European royalty; and 24 (lacking) roads northeastward and southwestward. Copies in any condition are all very rare, with only four appearing in American Book Prices Current in the last thirty years and of those only two complete. Evans 4017; Ford 31; Miller 121.
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