Alexander Arscot | First American edition of this Quaker text, a Franklin imprint, rarely found complete in three volumes

Alexander Arscot

Some Considerations Relating to the Present State of the Christian Religion... [Vols I-II:] Philadelphia: B. Franklin, 1732, 1732; [Vol. III:] Philadelphia: Andrew Bradford, 1738

3 volumes, small 8vo (146 x 88 mm). Publisher's ad on final page of volume I; contents with very infrequent minor spots, text block trimmed close, barely touching the top of the first word on the title of volume I, a tiny chip and some paper repairs to the fore-edge of volume I, a short tear at top edge of leaf R2 in volume II, pale staining, a tiny chip, and a tear near the gutter in the title of volume III. Antique-style full brown morocco, gilt decorated boards and spines, gilt-titled spines, gilt ruled board edges and turn ins; spines slightly and uniformly toned, the joints lightly worn, a few minor spots of rubbing at corners, front hinge in vol. I starting.

The first complete American edition of this pro-Quaker religious text by Alexander Arscot printed by Franklin, rarely found with the third volume printed by Andrew Bradford six years later.

Arscot's work, originally published in London in 1730–31, was a response to certain anti-Quaker tracts. Franklin published a separate edition consisting only of the first part of the text in 1731. For Part I of this edition, he reset his 1731 edition text line-by-line. Part II is reset line-by-line after the 1731 London edition by Sowle. Both editions were printed on behalf of the Society of Friends. Andrew Bradford published the third part of the text in 1738, after it first appeared in London in 1734.

Rare, especially when complete with all three volumes. The last time we can trace a three-volume set being offered for sale, possibly this copy, was in 1964 at Goodspeed, according to Rare Book Hub.

REFERENCES

Miller 47; ESTC W29447, W3486; Evans 3500, 3501