Roger More and Benjamin Franklin | The only complete copy known of Poor Roger

Roger Moore

Poor Roger, 1756. The American Country Clmanack, for the Year of Christian Account 1756. Calculated according to art, and fitted to the province of Pennsylvania, but may without sensible error serve all the Provinces Adjacent. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, and D. Hall, at the New-Printing-Office near the Market, [1755] [Bound after:] (Benjamin Franklin). Poor Richard Bmproved: being an Almanack and Ephemeris ... for the Year of our Lord 1756 ... Fitted to the Latitude of forty degrees, and a Meridian of near five hours west from London; but may, without sensible error, serve all the Northern Colonies. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin and D. Hall, [1755]

12mo (165 x 95 mm). Poor Roger: Woodcut borders and anatomical man; a few stray spots; some staining and soiling. Poor Richard: Woodcut borders and ornaments including the zodiac man and monthly panels, early marginalia; closed tears with neat tissue repairs, second leaf with more extensive repairs and some loss to text, scattered and faint foxing. Stitched self-wrappers, as issued, fastened with braided cord; some staining and soiling. Housed in custom clamshell case and folding chemise.

One of only two recorded copies, and the only complete copy known.

Franklin not only printed his own almanacs, but those of others as well. Roger More, also known as Thomas More, was the pseudonym of the unknown writer.

Each a first edition.

REFERENCES

Poor Roger: Miller 610; ESTC W38352; Evans 7492; Bristol B1762; Hildeburn 1418; Drake 9778. Poor Richard: Miller 608; ESTC W22790; Evans 7420; Drake 9776