The History of the Wars of New-England, with the Eastern Indians

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Auction dateClassic
17.01.2024 11:00UTC -04:00
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ID 1119213
Lot 31 | The History of the Wars of New-England, with the Eastern Indians
The History of the Wars of New-England, with the Eastern Indians

Samuel Penhallow, Boston, 1726

PENHALLOW, Samuel (1665-1726). The History of the Wars of New-England, with the Eastern Indians, Or, A Narrative of their continued Perfidy and Cruelty. Boston: T. Fleet for S. Gerrish and D. Henchman, 1726.



The Snider copy of one of the rarest early New England imprints, in a contemporary binding and with contemporary provenance. Penhallow’s gristly work is considered the more authoritative history of the Queen Anne’s War, which had just concluded in 1725 after over two decades of fighting. Indeed Howes considered it the best early summary of the violence between colonists and Natives full stop. “The author came from England to Portsmouth in 1686 with the design of serving the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Indians, as a missionary, after he had acquainted himself with their language. Whether he ever was engaged in missionary work is unknown. At the time of his death he was Chief-Justice of the province” (Church), in which position, according to his archives at Dartmouth, he established a reputation for efficient and impartial judgements. VERY RARE: only two complete copies of this work have been offered at auction since 1975. This copy is made even more interesting by the presence of two contemporary ink drawings of Native warfare scenes, as well as a manuscript note by Penhallow laid in. The evocative drawings are on the front and rear pastedowns. One is captioned "Hilton charging the Indians with treachery" and shows a colonist attacking two Native men with a sword and cane. The other is captioned "Tug of War for the tommyhawk." Church 904; Evans 2796; Field 307; Howes P-201; Sabin 59654; Streeter sale 674; Vail 351.



Octavo (163 x 110 mm). Title in rule border, woodcuts of Indian totemic signatures on p.79 and p.127 (title with repair at gutter, a few discreet marginal repair to other leaves, minor soiling throughout, several catchwords and page numbers just shaved). Contemporary calf ruled in blind (spine neatly repaired, front free endpaper renewed, minor rubbing, tips just showing). Provenance: John Dow (signature on last page) – Jonathan and James Becker (signatures on last page). With original pen and ink drawings on front and back pastedowns described above and some untitled caricatures on the verso of errata leaf.



[With:] PENHALLOW. Autograph document signed ("Saml Penhallow") a receipt for supplies (paper, oil) and an express rider, n.p., 21 October 1706. One page. 12mo. Headed "Province of New Hampshire," with autograph note of the Governor: "Allowed J Dudley" (Joseph Dudley, 1647-1720).

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