QUAKER ABOLITIONIST ANTHONY BENEZET’S OBSERVATIONS ON INSLAVING, IMPORTING AND PURCHASING NEGROES, PRINTED BY CHRISTOPHER SAUER, 1760

BENEZET, Anthony. Observations on the Inslaving, Importing and Purchasing of Negroes. BOUND WITH: [BROMLEY, Thomas. The Way to the Sabbath of Rest]. BOUND WITH: HARTLEY, Thomas. A Discourse on Mistakes Concerning Religion, Enthusiasm… & C. Germantown: Christopher Sower, 1760, 1759, 1759. Three works bound in one volume. Octavo, contemporary full brown sheep rebacked, red spine label; pp. 16; 7-280; 168. $2700.

Second edition of one of the earliest abolitionist tracts to be printed in America (issued just one year after the extremely scarce first printing).

"Having fixed his residence in Philadelphia, [Benezet] adopted the doctrine of the Quakers. His humanity impelled him to attempt an amelioration of the condition of both the Indians and Negroes" (Field). In 1750 Benezet set up a school in Philadelphia for slaves, a "great success" (DAB), and he published at his own expense a number of anti-slavery pamphlets circulated among influential people. The other two items in this volume are first American printings of religious works originally published in England. Of the presses established by the German population in Pennsylvania, one of the most important was the Germantown press founded by Christopher Sower (sometimes Saur or Sauer, 1693-1758). Without title page and first six leaves of the Bromley text. Dumond, 26. Evans 8542, 8309, 8364. Sabin 4676, 8192, 30696. Owner signature and inscription (John Bromley, Philadelphia), dated 1844.

Title page of the Benezet text reinforced along margins, not affecting letterpress. Some light foxing throughout. Contemporary sheep restored at extremities. A very good copy.