MORE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD: OR, THE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD, DISPLAY'D IN FIVE PARTS....
Calef, Robert:
Salem, Ma. 1796 [i.e. 1797]. 318pp. plus [2]pp. ads. Contemporary calf, neatly rebacked, retaining original gilt morocco label. Titlepage and first few leaves of text heavily toned in margins, scattered foxing. Armorial bookplate of Philip Richard Fendall on front pastedown; gift inscription to Fendall on verso of title-leaf, signed "F. Parker." First American edition, after the first London edition of 1700, and not actually published before May 1797. This well-reasoned castigation of the proceedings of the courts in Massachusetts was written by Robert Calef, a Boston merchant, in response to Cotton Mather's WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD, wherein Mather set forth his account of the supposed cases of witchcraft in Massachusetts. Calef attacks Mather personally, as well as the hysteria engendered by the witch scare. The first copies of the original edition of this book to reach Boston were supposedly burned. The present copy was part of the library of Philip Richard Kendall and bears his armorial bookplate and a gift inscription to him. Fendall (1794-1867) was District Attorney of Washington, D.C. from 1841 to 1845 and from 1849 to 1853. SABIN 9926. HOWES C25. EVANS 30149.
(Item ID: WRCAM37300) $1,250.00