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

Roger Moore

Poor Roger, 1756. The American country almanack, 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: B. Franklin and D. Hall, [1755]; [Bound after:] Benjamin Franklin. Being an Almanack and Ephemeris of the Motions of the Sun and Moon ... For the Year 1756. Philadelphia: 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 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 issues, 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: Evans 7492; Bristol B1762; Poor Richard: Miller 608, Evans 7420; Drake 9776