American Revolution
First American Printing Of A Revolutionary War Battle Map "A View of the Present Seat of War, at and near New-York."
1777-Dated (Printed 1776) Revolutionary War Period, Printed Map, "A VIEW of the Present Seat of WAR, at and near NEW-YORK, An Astronomical Diary; Or Almanack." By Nathaniel Low, Printed by J. Gill, Boston, MA, with Owner's Contemporary Notation: "Thirty Dollar Bills dated May 10th 1775 are Advertised to be Counterfeit," Partly disbound with blank pages inserted for notes, Very Good.
This rare American Almanack was printed in late 1776 and issued for the year 1777. It is complete each month from January through December, plus the owner added multiple inserted period plian paper pages for his notations. It measures 7" x 4.25" with self wrappers, heavily used and worn at edges with chipping and some scattered marginal loss. Though in rather roungh condition the highlight of this scarce almanac is the First American Printing of a Revolutionary War Battle Map. Featuring a Full-page Map of the New York City area titled, "A View of the Present Seat of War, at and near New-York." This example is near complete and boldly printed, has central humidity stains the upper mrginal corner lacking and the bottom torn at far right, well worthy of some conservation. The key designates General Washington's Lines and Continental Army positions on Manhattan on New-York Island, as well as the; "Fort at Powles-Hook... Bunker-Hill, near New York... The Sound... King's Bridge... Hell Gate... Fort Washington... Mount Washington... (and) Governor's Island."
Throughout are numerous inserted pages bearing the owner's handwritten contemporary annotations, including detailing his monetary transactions, farming notes, etc. The best most important historic comment for collectors of Continental Currency reads on its own page: "Thirty Dollar Bills dated May 10th 1775 are Advertised to be Counterfeit". This refers to the very the very First Issue of the American Continental Congress's issued Paper Money, also known as "Continental Currency" already being Counterfeited! This may prove to be the very first documented mention of such Counterfeiting of American Paper Currency by a private citizen!
Stitch-sewn with many leaves starting to become unbound, likely caused by the owner's having added his inserted note pages. Low's "Address to the Tories" which reads in part:
"Every enemy to his country and its liberties, I esteem an enemy to myself. The liberties of America and the rights of mankind, whatever your professed principles may be, your practices diametrically oppose. You esteem to have no just notions of what the wisest man have defined liberty... The doctrine of passive obedience and non-resistance, and 'the right divine of Kings to govern wrong' is your darling tenet... I expect nothing that I can say will in the least alter the corrupt bias of your minds; you are too far advanced in your wicked apostacy to afford the least ray of hope that you will ever be recovered... Are you not continually endeavouring to interrupt the harmony which so happily subsists in these united states? ... I beseech you to consider what are the rewards which you expect in competition - Should you obtain the honours that you hope for, would that be sufficient recompense? - Should you satisfy your lust of power, of interest, fame, and glory; - Would that atone for the wrongs done to your injured country, or quiet the remorse of our own consciences? ... But on the other hand, Should America be so successful as by a noble stand to support independence and maintain its liberties uncorrupted against the present disposition of public affairs there is the greatest reason to hope..."
As mentioned, there are many interesting historic features. This 1777 Almanac has "An Address to the Tories" beginning: "I cannot call you friends... every enemy to his country and its liberties, I esteem an enemy to myself." Dates pointed out are March 5 (Bostom Massacre); April 19 (Battle at Concord); June 17 (Battle of Charlestown (Bunker Hill)); and, December 16 (Boston Tea Party). We sold a similar example of this important Almanac in our EAHA Auction of April 22, 2006 Lot 195 graded Fine, which sold for $5,605 and a second example August 22, 2014 Lot 137 graded Fine "parially disbound," which sold for $7,080. A scarce and highly desirable historic Revolutionary War Almanac that is always in collector demand. Drake 3264; Evans 14829; Hamilton: Early American Book Illustrators 77; Sabin 42402.