Phillis Wheatley
London, England, ca. 1773
1st Ed. of 1772 Annual Register with Phillis Wheatley Published Poem
Books

A First Edition 1772 issue of "The Annual Register, or a View of the History, Politics, and Literature For the Year 1772" containing a poem written by Phillis Wheatley. London: J. Dodsley, 1773. First Edition. Octavo, [3], 105, 65-256, 246pp, plus a Table of Contents. Wheatley's poem "On Recollection" appears on the latter p. 214. Original brown leather binding with red and black labels at the spine with gilt titling. Early bookplate on the front pastedown from the Bibliotheque du Chateau de Valen?ay as well as a stamp on the page opposite the title page. There is a printing error on page 51, where the year reads "1766" instead of "1772". Light scratching, wear, and soiling to the boards. Some chipping at head of spine and hinges. Rubbing and bumping to corners. Text is clean, with only minor toning and staining to the foredges and first and last few leaves. Very good overall. A 5th Edition of this same volume has previously been auctioned for $4,500.

Phillis Wheatley Peters, (c. 1753-1784) was an American author who is considered the first African-American author of a published book of poetry. She was kidnapped from her home in West Africa and subsequently sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight. She was bought by the Wheatley family of Boston who taught her to read and write, and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent. In 1773, during a trip to London, Wheatley met several prominent people who became her patrons and facilitated the publication of her "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" on September 1, 1773. The book was a great success and brought her fame both in England and the American colonies, including praise from such prominent figures as George Washington. Phillis was emancipated by the Wheatleys shortly after the publication of her book of poems.

The Annual Register was an anthology of new and extant literary works, and this edition included the previously unpublished poem by Phillis Wheatley. Wheatley was 18 years of age at the time of publication, and the poem would be included in her first book of poetry the succeeding year. The Annual Register was a fitting place for its publication as well; the annual was written and edited by Anglo-Irish statesman Edmund Burke who opposed slavery and had proposed a bill to ban slave holders from sitting on the Seat of Commons.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!
5.5" x 8.5"