14. THOMAS, Isaiah; publisher.
The History of Goody Twoshoes… Worcester: Isaiah Thomas, 1787. 16mo (4 3/4 x 2 7/8 inches; 120 x 75mm). 2pp. advertisements. Woodcut frontispiece and illustrations. Later cloth-backed marbled boards, cloth chemise, blue half morocco slipcase. Condition : lacking pp.113-124 (signature H). Rosenbach 118; Welch 463.4.
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[Richard JOHNSON (Richard)]: The Juvenile Biographer… Worcester: Isaiah Thomas, 1787. With many woodcut illustrations including a frontispiece. 16mo (3 15/16 x 2 1/2 inches; 104 x 64 mm), 119pp + [4]ads (ink notation on title, ads with some light staining); later decorative wrappers. First American edition of this Elizabeth Newbery juvenile (Roscoe J198). Rosenbach 119; Welch 680.1.
[JOHNSON (Richard)]: The Picture Exhibition… Worcester: Isaiah Thomas, 1788. 16mo (3 7/8 x 2 1/2 inches; 98 x 64mmm). 7pp. advertisements. 18 woodcut illustrations. 16mo, 112pp + [7]ads (binding fly-leaf detached); late 19th century red morocco gilt. Condition : joints lightly rubbed, spine faded, front free endpaper detached. Provenance : American Antiquarian Society (early ink stamp). First American edition of this Thomas Carnan juvenile (Roscoe J280). Rosenbach 134; Welch 685.
a fine collection of three early american children’s books: the first is an early american edition of perhaps the most famous children’s book of the 18th century . It was originally published by John Newbery in 1765 (of which only a single copy at the British Library survives), and was first published in America by Hugh Gaine in 1775. The author is unknown, though it has been attributed to Oliver Goldsmith, Newbery himself, and others (the title-page indicates with tongue-in-cheek that the original manuscript is in the Vatican!). The two other titles are both charming Isaiah Thomas publications, copying original works issued by John Newbery and his descendants. Thomas is an important early American printer, editor and publisher, and was the founder of the American Antiquarian Society. (3)
est. $3000 – $4000
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