THE PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR
ELLERY, William (1727-1820), Signer (Rhode Island). The Christian Disciple, Published Monthly. Vol. II. For 1814. Boston, 1814.
Details
ELLERY, William (1727-1820), Signer (Rhode Island). The Christian Disciple, Published Monthly. Vol. II. For 1814. Boston, 1814.
8o (8½ x 5 1/8 in.). Index at front, 12 issues. (Browning and scattered stains). Contemporary calf-backed marbled paper boards. (Worn, rear cover and last leaf detached.).
WILLIAM ELLERY'S COPY, clearly signed by the 87 year old Signer on the titlepage: "Wm. Ellery," and with additional inscription "To Geo. Ellery" beneath. Twelve issues of a non-denominational Christian monthly, featuring edifying essays such as "On the Evils of War," "On the sinfulness of Infants," a "Sketch of Mr. William Penn," a long essay on "The Slave Trade" (in nos. 10 and 12), original poetry (including "Ode to Sickness"), news of overseas congregations, extracts from missionaries' letters and news of various congregations. The long-lived Rhode Island patriot, who held for many years the lucrative post of Customs Collector for the port of Newport, evidently owned a sizeable library. On Ellery's reading see W.M. Fowler, William Ellery, 1973, p.180 (noting that Ellery's grandson, William Ellery Channing "sent Ellery copies of The Christian Disciple, a liberal Christian magazine.") Previously, we have handled Ellery's copy of Ezra Stiles, History of the Judges, 1794 (sold 8 June 1990, $2,200), and his annotated copy of Sharp's Lancaster Pocket Almanack, 1778 (sold 9 December 1998, $8,000).
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WILLIAM ELLERY'S COPY, clearly signed by the 87 year old Signer on the titlepage: "W