Lot 84: THOMAS, Isaiah (1750-1831).The History of Printing in America. Worcester: Isaiah Thomas, 1810.

THOMAS, Isaiah (1750-1831). The History of Printing in America. Worcester: Isaiah Thomas, 1810. 2 volumes, 8° (206 x 130 mm). 5 engraved plates (2 folding). (Some occasional spotting or browning.) Contemporary sheep, flat spines gilt, red morocco lettering-piece gilt; green chemises and quarter morocco slipcase (some wear to the extremities and slight chipping to the spine). Provenance: Benjamin F. Thomas (signatures on flyleaf and title-page); given to C.G. Perry (gift inscription on flyleaf); Laird U. Park, Jr. (1922-2001) Philadelphian, Americana collector (sold Sotheby’s New York, 29 November 2000, lot 348). FIRST EDITION. "Amidst the darkness which surrounds the discovery of many of the arts, it has been ascertained that it is practicable to trace the Introduction and progress of Printing, in the northern part of America, to the period of the revolution. A history of this kind has not, until now, been attempted, although the subject, in one point of view, is more interesting to us than to any other nation. We are able to convey to posterity a correct account of the manner in which we have grown up to be an independent people, and can delineate the progress of the useful and polite arts among us with a degree of certainty which cannot be attained by the nations of the old world, in respect to themselves” (p.10, Preface). Thomas founded the American Antiquarian Society in 1812, and he donated his personal library to help form the organization's collection. Grolier American 29; Howes T-168; Sabin 95495; Streeter sale 7:4176.