Allestree, Richard The art of contentment Philadelphia 1753
[Allestree, Richard.] The art of contentment, by the author of The Whole Duty of Man, &c. Oxford printed; Philadelphia: reprinted and sold by James Chattin, 1753. 93, 84-133 pp. 8vo, contemporary calf, gilt, spine gilt, red morocco label (some rubbing, joints a bit worn). First American edition; first published in Oxford in 1675. The authorship of this work, and various related titles, remains something of a puzzle; the texts are now credited to the royalist divine Richard Allestree, though surviving manuscripts in the hand of Bishop Fell indicate that he had some role in them, possibly as an editor. Allestree's devotional books were extraordinarily popular in England, and for many years one or more of them could be found in virtually every household where there was literacy. In America, however, they appear to have been of limited interest; the only other Allestree printing besides this one was an edition of The Whole Duty of Man produced in Williamsburg (VA) in 1746. An excellent copy of a rare Philadelphia imprint; the ESTC (05/06) lists eight copies (MWA, CSmH, DLC, InU-Li, NN, PHS, PSt, RPJCB). Early signature on the front flyleaf of Jonah Thompson. Evans 7083.
£750
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