THE RELIGION OF NATURE DELINEATED.
London: Printed by S. Palmer, 1725. 219pp. Quarto. Contemporary Cambridge-style calf, rebacked in matching calf with raised bands, original label preserved. Corners repaired in matching calf. Internally quite clean. Very good. In a cloth clamshell box, spine gilt. Item #WRCAM62651
The third edition of Wollaston's religious work, after the first of 1722 and a second edition of 1724. This edition was typeset by Benjamin Franklin at the age of nineteen, who had arrived in London from Philadelphia the year before. "Franklin arrived in London, December 24th, 1724, and was employed at S. Palmer's printing office. While there he worked as a compositor on THE RELIGION OF NATURE DELINEATED. In his autobiography he says that he worked on the second edition, but this is a mistake, as the second edition was published before the author's death, October 29th, 1724. He must have worked on the edition of 1725, the third, as that was published while he was at Palmer's" - Campbell. Franklin’s work on Wollaston’s text made an impression on him, leading him to print a small refutation of it the same year, entitled A DISSERTATION ON LIBERTY, NECESSITY, PLEASURE AND PAIN, printed in an edition of 100 copies, most of which he claimed to have destroyed.
A scarce and superb piece of Frankliniana. ESTC T138365. FORD 6. CAMPBELL, p.40.
Price: $1,500.00