Theodore de la Guard (pseud. of Nathaniel Ward)

(THE FIRST AMERICAN WORK OF SATIRE, WIT AND HUMOR) The Simple Cobler of Aggavvamm [Aggawam] In America...; Third Edition, with some Additions

London: Printed by J.D & R.I. for Stephen Bontell at the figure of the Bible in Pope's Head Alley, 1647. Wraps. 80 pp. string bound in old, possibly contemporary plain wrappers. Restoration circa 1800 (see below) to the upper right corner of the title page affecting some of the title lettering. Laid in is a mss slip from J. Murray (presumably John Murray, the London bookseller and publisher) addressed to one "C. Gore, Esq." which reads, "The only copy of the Cobler I can find in London. I have used the freedom to sow (?) and mend his frontispiece. Collated and complete/ J. Murray/ 12th March 1801". The verso of the slip reads "Mr. Murray/V&H/ 1800/ sale account". In addition to the restoration to the title page there is loss to the top corners of the first two leaves affecting only the imprinted title across the top. Nathaniel Ward (1578-1652) was an English clergyman and social wit who came to America in 1634, settling at Ipswich, Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1641 he authored the Massachhusetts "Body of Liberties", the first code of laws in New England and a cornerstone title of Americana. He wrote "The Simple Cobler" in 1645-46 and sent it to England for publication. It was first published in London in January, 1647 and went to three additional printings the same year (none after). It was not published in America unitl 1718 in Boston and not again until 1843. It is considered the first humor/satire book of wit written in America; it contains caustic comments on women's fashions, gentlemen's fopperies, and social pretensions as well as warnings to religious dissenters. It was, however, a plea for reason in English government, both on the part of the King and his subjects. Importantly, Ward offered a new theory of constitutional government which reflected in large part his experiences in New England. Good. Item #E24848

Price: $7,500.00