[AMERICANA]. THOMAS, Isaiah (1749-1831). The History of Printing in America; with a Biography of Printers, and an Account of Newspapers; to Which is Prefixed a Concise View of the Discovery and Progress of the Art in Other Parts of the World. Worcester: Isaiah Thomas, 1810.
2 volume, 8vo (241 x 133 mm). 4 (of 5) engraved plates, one folding (most shaved to plate mark at outer margin, offsetting from plates to text). (Spotting to title-pages, perforated library stamps on titles, contemporary notations and strikethroughs on sigs. F3-F4, sig. M in vol. II repaired at margin, also with perforated stamp, some spotting). Full deep red crushed niger gilt, spines in 6 compartments with raised bands, 2 morocco lettering-pieces gilt, uncut.
FIRST EDITION of the first published history of printing in the United States that is considered the cornerstone of American printing and publishing history written by, as Benjamin Franklin once labeled him as, “The Baskerville of America”. Grolier 100 American Books 29; Howes T168; Shaw & Shoemaker 21483; Streeter Sale 4176.