Drake, Samuel.

Catalogue of Useful, Curious and Rare Books and Tracts, &c. in American Literature, Chiefly Historical.

Boston: 1866. Item #778

8vo. 215 x 170 mm., [8 ¼ x 6 ¾ inches]. 92 pp. Stitched as issued; some fraying to the spine, soiled and water stained at the fore edge.

With faults an attractive copy of Samuel Drake’s catalogue of Local History and Americana. In the introduction he writes,

“Local History is prominent in this Catalogue. All Works or Transactions in a Town or Locality, are a part of its History. Hence, Dedications, Ordinations, Installations, Thanksgiving, Fast, &c., are often as important as though they bore the name of History and are quite as much to be sought for.”

Drake includes short annotation for some of the works in the catalogue, written with some wit and sarcasm. In describing Abner Keenland’s Report . . .at the Trial of Blasphemy, [1834], he writes, “Remarkable for sophistry and benighted reasoning – equal, except for ability, to any Star-chamber outrages on common sense.” He also supplies condition reports. “If in not in good condition it will be mentioned, as explicitly as is consistent with brevity.”.

Price: $175.00