William Law | Franklin and Hall imprint with a presentation inscription from the important Quaker educator Anthony Benezet, bound in a Sammelband

[Sammelband] — William Law

An Extract from a Treatise … called the Spirit of Prayer; or, the Soul Rising Out of the Vanity of Time, into the Riches of Eternity. Philadelphia: Printed by B. Franklin and D. Hall, 1760 [Bound with:] Thomas Hartley. A Discourse on Mistakes concerning Religion, Enthusiasm, Experience, &c. London Printed. Germantown: reprinted by Christopher Sower, 1759 [i.e., 1760] [issued with:] William Dell. Christ's Spirit, a Christian's Strength. Or, A Plain Discovery of the Mighty and Invisible Power, that all Believers Receive through the Gift of the Spirit. … The Stumbling Stone, wherein the University is Reproved (caption title). Germantown: Printed by Christopher Sower. 1760. [And bound with:] [Anthony Benezet]. A Short Account of that part of Africa, Inhabited by the Negroes. With … the Manner by which the Slave Trade is carried on. Extracted from divers authors, in order to Shew the Iniquit of that Trade, and the Falsity of the Arguments usually advanced in its Vindication. … the Second Edition, with large Additions and Amendments. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1762

Together 3 separate works, with four title-pages, bound in a single-volume, 8vo (189 x 120 mm). Light toning, occasional spots and stains, paper repairs to the front free endpaper, the first title-page with chipping along the edges, a manuscript couplet of religious verse to the front free endpaper, and early manicules in the William Law text. In period-style quarter calf with blue paper boards; retaining some of the quite soiled but contemporary blue paper boards.

A rare contemporary association copy, a sammelband of Quaker texts, published in Philadelphia between 1759 and 1762, including a Franklin and Hall imprint.

Presentation copy, inscribed on the title-page by Anthony Benezet (1713–1784), the important Quaker educator and abolitionist. The recipient was George Dillwyn (1738-1820), a Quaker minister.

Benezet's anti-slavery treatise, printed by John Dunlap, appears last in the Sammelband. The work combines moral, scriptural, and historical arguments to make a strong case against the transatlantic slave trade, in support of recognizing the common humanity of enslaved Africans. Benezet also founded America's first public girls school in 1755, and a school for black children in 1770.

Regarding Franklin's work, Miller notes that "the inclusion of this piece in a 'Collection of Devotional Tracts' (1760) along with the treatises of William Dell and John Rutty suggests that its printing was commissioned by the Society of Friends in Philadelphia. The work was first published in London, 1750."

REFERENCES

Law: Miller 731; ESTC W32231; Evans 8633; Sabin 39324. Hartley and Dell: ESTC W30837; Evans 8364, 8576, 8577; Hildeburn 1628, 1667; Sabin 30696. Benezet: ESTC W29401; Evans 9067; Hildeburn 1786