53 BAUMAN RARE BOOKS 59(AMERICAN REVOLUTION) (BOWDOIN, James). A Short Narrative of the Horrid Massacre in Boston. Boston, Printed… Re-printed for W. Bingley… London, 1770. [Actually printed in Boston by Edes and Gill in July, 1770]. Slim octavo, remnants of original wrappers (without two leaves, which have been supplied in facsimile); custom clamshell box. $35,000 Important Contemporary Account Of The 1770 Boston Massacre, The Earliest Boston Printing Sold In America Extremely rare and important July 1770 Boston printing of this contemporary and influential account of the Boston Massacre. Though bearing a London imprint, this edition was actually printed and sold in Boston to circumvent the American distribution ban, and as such was the earliest Boston printing to be sold in America. On March 5, 1770, a squad of British soldiers, rushing to support a sentry who was being heckled by a growing crowd, let loose a volley of shots. Three persons were killed immediately and two died later of their wounds. “This was to hand the colonists the first of a whole series of propaganda victories—the story of the ‘Boston Massacre’” (Johnson, 140-141). At the Boston Town Meeting of March 12th, a committee consisting was appointed to create an official report. “Officially, town leaders ordered that all extra copies of the [resulting] pamphlet be impounded in order not to prejudice potential jurors. However, the pamphlet did circulate in Boston prior to the trials and possibly influenced public opinion concerning the massacre” (Chiassen). Without half title; without two leaves (pp. 7/8 and 77/78) which have been supplied in facsimile. Slight scattered foxing; minute closed tears to edges of several leaves, minimally affecting text; faint pencil markings to verso of title page and pages 35-36, without affecting text. Small portion of upper corner of first three leaves repaired, with a very few words and letters, including the “E” in “NARRATIVE” on the title page, supplied in neat pen facsimile. Without front wrapper; original rear wrapper intact with some loss to edges. All of the early 1770 printings are rare and are usually lacking some leaves. This unusual edition (commonly misidentified as the Bingley London edition) is particularly scarce. A rare and desirable Boston printing of this important contemporary account of the Boston Massacre.
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