"AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MASTERPIECE, RIVALED IN 18TH-CENTURY AMERICA ONLY BY THAT OF FRANKLIN": FIRST EDITION OF JOHN WOOLMAN'S WORKS, 1774, INCLUDING THE FIRST EDITION OF HIS JOURNAL

WOOLMAN, John. The Works of John Woolman. In Two Parts. Philadelphia: Joseph Crukshank, 1774. Octavo, contemporary full brown tree calf, red morocco spine label.

First edition of renowned abolitionist John Woolman's Works, published two years after his death, including his landmark essay against slavery, Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes (1754-62), and the first publication of his Journal, scarce in contemporary tree calf.

American Quaker John Woolman is "recognized as the first important writer against slavery in America and the exemplar of the 18-century Quaker ethic" (Scully, Good and Evil, 71). Woolman's Journal, published herein two years after his death, is "an autobiographical masterpiece, rivaled in 18th-century America only by that of Franklin" (Howes). "His most memorable work… [it] appealed to a large circle of divergent minds. John Stuart Mill was attracted by the Journal" (DNB). "Charles Lamb confessed that Woolman's autobiographical Journal was the only American book he ever read twice, and Emerson declared that he found more wisdom in its pages than in 'any other book written since the days of the apostles'" (Gunn, Early American Writing, 398). Woolman's "role in moving the Quakers away from slave-holding was probably most notable, along with his influence on later abolitionists." His writings "have proved to be a spiritual and moral treasure that have had a growing influence upon successive generations" (ANB). Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes was originally published separately in two parts: the first part was printed at James Chattin's Quaker press in Philadelphia in 1754; the second was published by Benjamin Franklin in 1762—the third anti-slavery tract to be printed by Franklin. Part I of this first edition of the Works includes the prefatory Testimony of Friends, and the first edition of Woolman's Journal (1774). Part II of Works contains: Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes (1754-62); Considerations on Pure Wisdom, and Human Policy (1768); Considerations on the True Harmony of Mankind (1770); Remarks on Sundry Subjects (1773), and An Epistle to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings of Friends (1772). With separate 1774 title pages for Part I and Part II of Works, and A Journal. Continuously paginated. Evans 13782. Howes W669. Sabin 105211. ESTC W29718. Early owner signatures. Small numbered bookplate.

Text generally fresh with light foxing, minor edge-wear with tiny bit of loss to spine head. A near-fine copy, scarce on contemporary calf.