The New-England Primer Improved For the more easy attaining the true reading of English to which is added The Assembly of Divines, and Mr. Cotton's Catechism
Boston [Massachusetts] [but Hartford, CT]: Edward Draper, at his Printing-Office, in Newbury-Street, and Sold by John Boyle in Marlborough-Street [but Ira Webster] 1777 [but 1844]. Later printing. [84] leaves. Not paginated. 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. Drab blue paper covered wood boards with plain leather spine panel. Paper with bluish hue throughout. Front joint cracked but holding by straps. Rear board dented/cracked in one spot. A small amount of insect damage to front board near the spine. Good. Boards. [28931]
Charles F. Heartman in his 1934 "The New-England Primer issued prior to 1830" rightly notes that the 1777 edition (#60) of The "New-England Primer has been frequently reprinted." The original 1777 edition was printed in five sections of eight leaves each, with signature marks A to E.
This 1844 Webster reprint has numbered rather than lettered signatures. This reprint contains:
Leaf [1r]: [reproduced Advertisement for an 1691 Newman Almanack] with printed signature of Ira Webster dated August 9th, 1844 at bottom.
Leaf [1v]: "Introduction to the Present Edition" with imprint at bottom "Hartford, Conn. | Published and Sold by Ira Webster, 1843 | Stereotyped by R. H. Hobbs."
Leaf [2r]: "ADVERTISEMENT" [presumably from the original Primer]
Leaf [2v]: [blank]
Leaf [3r]: Hancock portrait
Leaf [3v]: Divine Song
Leaf [4r]: Title page of 1777 original
Leaf [4v]: 2 prayers from Dr. Watts
Leaves 5-42: the balance of the original primer.
This corresponds to Winship's "Eighth edition" of the first revision issued by Hartford publisher Ira Webster. Sins in spelled correctly in this copy on page 65.
A nice example of the Webster reprint from 1844 (dated based on printed date at base of first page).
LITERATURE:
Heartman, Charles F., "The New-England Primer Issued prior to 1830", Bowker, New York:1934, p22.
Winship, George Parker, "Notes on a Reprint of THE New-England PRIMER Improved..."
Price: $50.00