![MORTON, Nathaniel (1613-1685). New Englands Memoriall: or, A Brief Relation of the most Memorable and Remarkable Passages of the Providence of God, manifested to the Planters of New-England in America; With special Reference to the first Colony thereof, Called New-Plimouth. Cambridge [Mass.]: Printed by S. G[reen]. and M. J[ohnson]. for John Usher of Boston, 1669.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2015/NYR/2015_NYR_03750_0199_000(morton_nathaniel_new_englands_memoriall_or_a_brief_relation_of_the_mos100555).jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY FROM THE ROSEBROOK COLLECTION
MORTON, Nathaniel (1613-1685). New Englands Memoriall: or, A Brief Relation of the most Memorable and Remarkable Passages of the Providence of God, manifested to the Planters of New-England in America; With special Reference to the first Colony thereof, Called New-Plimouth. Cambridge [Mass.]: Printed by S. G[reen]. and M. J[ohnson]. for John Usher of Boston, 1669.
Details
MORTON, Nathaniel (1613-1685). New Englands Memoriall: or, A Brief Relation of the most Memorable and Remarkable Passages of the Providence of God, manifested to the Planters of New-England in America; With special Reference to the first Colony thereof, Called New-Plimouth. Cambridge [Mass.]: Printed by S. G[reen]. and M. J[ohnson]. for John Usher of Boston, 1669.
Small 4° (170 x 134 mm). Title within printed double-rule border, printer's ornaments. (A few leaves trimmed close just touching headline border and occasionally shaving shoulder notes affecting a few letters, O1 with paper flaw affecting letters on verso, P1 with tiny marginal rust-hole, U3 with small rust-hole touching letters, Cc2 with short tear crossing border, Dd3 with printer’s flaw, some occasional light browning, slightly heavier in gathering F.) 19th-century calf gilt (rebacked, endpapers renewed).
“ONE OF THE GREAT BOOKS OF NEW ENGLAND HISTORY” (Vail)
FIRST EDITION. Morton's extensive compilation, which the title proclaims was "published for the use and benefit of present and future generations," remains an outstanding primary source for the earliest decades of the fragile Massachusetts Bay colony, and is the authority for the list of signers of the Mayflower Compact. Moreover, "Morton's work is the first strictly historical work printed in America; and is one of the earliest printed books recording the origin of Plymouth colony. The voyage of the Mayflower and the landing and first settlement of the Pilgrims are given in detail. Morton found his main sources in the extensive historical manuscripts left by his uncle William Bradford" (Streeter). The work is based on the manuscript of his uncle; on the journal of Edward Winslow, and on his own personal experience as secretary of the colony.
Morton had arrived on the Anne in 1623 and was reared by Governor Bradford after his own father died. "He was educated at Plymouth by Bradford, Brewster, Standish, and Fuller, and well educated, for about 1634 he became his uncle's clerk... In the Pilgrim church, he also served for many years as secretary and compiler of records... Certainly, he was one of the most important men at Plymouth from about 1640 until his death in 1685" (DAB). Church 606; Evans 144; Howes M-851 ("dd", "first original work not religious in character issued from the press at Cambridge"); JCB III, p.188; Sabin 51012; Streeter sale II:631; Wing M-2827.
Small 4° (170 x 134 mm). Title within printed double-rule border, printer's ornaments. (A few leaves trimmed close just touching headline border and occasionally shaving shoulder notes affecting a few letters, O1 with paper flaw affecting letters on verso, P1 with tiny marginal rust-hole, U3 with small rust-hole touching letters, Cc2 with short tear crossing border, Dd3 with printer’s flaw, some occasional light browning, slightly heavier in gathering F.) 19th-century calf gilt (rebacked, endpapers renewed).
“ONE OF THE GREAT BOOKS OF NEW ENGLAND HISTORY” (Vail)
FIRST EDITION. Morton's extensive compilation, which the title proclaims was "published for the use and benefit of present and future generations," remains an outstanding primary source for the earliest decades of the fragile Massachusetts Bay colony, and is the authority for the list of signers of the Mayflower Compact. Moreover, "Morton's work is the first strictly historical work printed in America; and is one of the earliest printed books recording the origin of Plymouth colony. The voyage of the Mayflower and the landing and first settlement of the Pilgrims are given in detail. Morton found his main sources in the extensive historical manuscripts left by his uncle William Bradford" (Streeter). The work is based on the manuscript of his uncle; on the journal of Edward Winslow, and on his own personal experience as secretary of the colony.
Morton had arrived on the Anne in 1623 and was reared by Governor Bradford after his own father died. "He was educated at Plymouth by Bradford, Brewster, Standish, and Fuller, and well educated, for about 1634 he became his uncle's clerk... In the Pilgrim church, he also served for many years as secretary and compiler of records... Certainly, he was one of the most important men at Plymouth from about 1640 until his death in 1685" (DAB). Church 606; Evans 144; Howes M-851 ("dd", "first original work not religious in character issued from the press at Cambridge"); JCB III, p.188; Sabin 51012; Streeter sale II:631; Wing M-2827.