HISTORY OF PRINTING IN AMERICA, WITH A BIOGRAPHY OF PRINTERS AND AN ACCOUNT OF NEWSPAPERS, TO WHICH IS PREFIXED A CONCISE VIEW OF THE DISCOVERY AND PROGRESS OF THE ART IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.|A

Worcester: Isaiah Thomas, 1810. later half leather over marbled paper covered boards, five raised bands, gilt on spine, leather spine label. small 8vo. later half leather over marbled paper covered boards, five raised bands, gilt on spine, leather spine label. 487; 576 pages. Two volumes. First edition. (Bigmore & Wyman III, 9; S-K 3602 for binding references, Howes T168, Sabin 95405, Streeter 4176). All five plates are present (though bound in different locations than called for in some cases). An invaluable book to the student of American printing and certainly the cornerstone in any collection of books on U.S. printing and publishing history. Also has information on newspapers and publishing. Thomas was the right person to write this title as he was one of the most important American publishers/booksellers of this early American period. His comments on his friends in the field and the beginnings of printing in different locations in the country based on personal knowledge make this a primary source.



Bound in a lovely half-leather binding over marbled paper covered boards stamped MacDonald - N.Y. on the front free endpaper. Marbled pastedowns and endpapers. Some loss of leather to the spines, with volume II having some loss over the author and volume II. Light shelfwear. The front and rear board of volume II has been reattached professionally. The interior is in near-fine condition, which is very uncommon.



Some light staining to the leather.