Nathaniel Evans — Poems on Several Occasions with Some Other Compositions

Philadelphia, Printed by John Dunlap, 1772. First edition. Leather. The first and only edition of the works of early American poet, Nathaniel Evans. The first edition of Nathaniel Evan's only work. Bound in contemporary full speckled calf. Bound with the half title page 'Sermons on Various Subjects&apos. and with original endpapers. Without leaf of errata which, according to Wegelin, "is almost always missing." ESTC No.W28917Register: a-c4, d2, B-X4, [*A4], *B-*C4. Collated, complete. A native of Philadelphia and a resident of Haddonfield, New Jersey, Evans was an S.P.G. missionary for Gloucester County and a friend and correspondent of Elizabeth Graeme (later, Ferguson). The DNB credits him with the introduction of lyric poetry to America. Copies of the book often lack the list of subscribers, the ode on Evans' death by Elizabeth Graeme, and the 24-page discourse at the end, all of which are present in this copy. This posthumous collection of Nathaniel Evans' poems was edited, with an affectionate preface, by the young poet's former teacher at the Philadelphia Academy, Provost William Smith.  From the library of Samuel W. Pennypacker (1843-1916), an American judge and politician who served as the 23rd governor of Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1907. A judge assigned to Pennsylvania's Court of Common Pleas system prior to his election as governor, he also researched and wrote about Pennsylvania history. Pennypacker was later president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and held positions of honor in various German and Netherlandish societies. Bound in contemporary full speckled calf. Externally, front joint is tender. Chip to the front board. Slight rubbing to the extremities. Bookplate of Samuel W. Pennypacker to the front paste down. Internally, front endpaper has detached but is present, otherwise contents are firmly bound. Pages are toned, with scattered spotting. Occasional tide marks. Loss to the bottom of the rear endpaper. Good Only . Ill.: None. Good Only .