Description:

Phillis Wheatley
London, UK, ca. 1775
Phillis Wheatley "On Recollections" Poem in 2nd Ed. of 1772 Annual Register
Book
A second edition 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, 1775. Second Edition. Small octavo, [3], 64, 65-105, 65-256, 246pp, plus a nine-page Table of Contents. Wheatley's poem "On Recollection" appears on the latter p. 214. Original brown leather binding with titling on the spine. With an early bookplate on the front pastedown from the Kay-Shuttleworth, Cawthorpe Hall, along with an inscription reading "Presented by Sir Ughtred Kay Shuttleworth." The title page is also stamped in red, "R. Shuttleworth." The front cover and one page have become detached. Cracked spine, but sound binding. Wear, scratching, and minor loss to the covers and spine. Clean internal pages. 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The Annual Register was an anthology of new and extant literary works, and this edition included the previously unpublished poem by Phillis Wheatley.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.

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  • Dimensions: 5.75" x 8.25"
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