Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - November - 2009 Issue
America Before 1700 from the William Reese Company
A 1635 map of southeastern New England from William Wood.
Now that we've reached the 17th century, you wouldn't expect to hear much more about Columbus, but item 80 pertains directly to him. It is a 1671 petition by his heirs for compensation for the loss of Jamaica. Jamaica had been awarded by the Spanish to Columbus' heirs in 1536 in appreciation for their ancestor's contributions to the empire. However, after a loss at war, Spain ceded Jamaica to England in 1670. In seeking compensation, the heirs suggest that Puerto Rico would make a suitable replacement. $6,500.
Item 82 is William Penn at his worst. Recently converted to Quakerism, his enthusiasm for his new faith led to intolerant attacks on all others. This a 1681 third edition of Truth Exalted; In a Short, but Sure, Testimony Against All Those Religions, Faiths, and Worships that have been Formed and Followed in the Darkness of Apostacy. Penn attacked Catholics, the Puritans, and anyone else who didn't share his view. $3,500.
Penn's behavior probably would have brought him to dire consequences, but because he was the son of an admiral, he was instead given a large colony in the New World to ease him away. That colony, of course, was Pennsylvania, and Penn set about promoting it to English Quakers, whom the Crown was only too willing to be rid of anyway. Item 89 is his Some Account of the Province of Pennsilvania in America, published in 1681. It is a real estate promotion of its time. Despite his earlier sentiments, Penn became an unusually tolerant colonial leader, providing equal rights for those of other faiths. $60,000.
The William Reese Company may be reached at 203-789-8081 or amorder@reeseco.com. Their website is www.reeseco.com.
