MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA: or, the Ecclesiastical History of New England from its First Planting in the year 1620, unto the Year of our Lord, 1698. In Seven Books

Hartford: Published by Silas Andrus, Roberts & Burr, Printers, 1820. Two volumes. 8vo. 225 x 1 35 mm., [9 x 5 1 2 inches]. [1], 573 pp; 595 pp.; each book with a separate title-page. Bound in contemporary mottled calf, read leather labels; upper joint rubbed with a short crack at top of board. Stamped “Ex Libris Wilson H. Kimnach” on front pastedown. First American edition from the London edition of 1702. Vol. II has imprint: Hartford: Published by Silas Andrus. Printed by S. Converse-- New-Haven. 1820. A near fine copy of an affordable edition of Mather’s masterpiece. In a review this edition that appeared in the 19th century English periodical the (truncated) Quarterly Review Robert Southey wrote, “One of the most singular books in this or any other language. In puns and in poems, its sermons and its anagrams render it unique in its kind.” A critique written in the North American Review at the time that the 1820 edition was published, the editor writes in part: “To those who are interested in the early history of our country, it may be well to remark, for accuracy in historical occurrences the will do well to rely on other authorities; but if they wish to obtain a general view of the state of society and manners, they will probably nowhere find so many materials for this purpose, as in the work of this pedantic and garrulous writer.” North American Review, Vol. V, p. 255. Sabin, Joseph. Dictionary of Books Relating to America, 46392, 46393. Howes, Wright, USIANA, M 391. JT/DSC* (1091). (Inventory #: 67859)