Description:

Richardson John

Unusual Letter from John Richardson's Editor Discussing the Publication of His Work, Vindication of the Canon of the New Testament Against Toland


A very fine content Autograph Letter Signed by a colleague "N. Spinckes", two pages, 6.5 x 7.75 in., [no place], February 10, [no year, circa 1695-9] concerning the problems getting Richardson's seminal work, "Vindication of the Canon of the New Testament against Toland " published. Spinckes, apparently Richardson's editor and advocate, opens explaining that "I hoped by this time to have given ou an account [that] yo[u]r excellent Book was in ye Presse. But ye Booksellers with whom I was treating about it, are unwilling (having no knowledge of you)_ to undertake it, so have returned me it. Whereupon my Lord BS of Ely has put into Mr Sare's hand who has promised to do it, & only stays till I have adjusted y[our] references I mentioned to You, which I find are most difficult that I hoped they might have been..." Indeed this was what occurred in the end.



The first edition of his work was published by Richard Sayre and printed by W. Boyer in London. The work was a conservative attack on the work of the work of the early Deist, John Tolland (1670-1722). Though the work apparently only received scant praise from his Richardson's contemporaries and allies, the work went into two more editions in 1701 and 1719 with Sare backing the printing of both editions. Richard Sare (d. 1724) was the publisher of numerous conservative Christian works including A defence [sic] of the short view of the profanes and immorality of the English Stage..., The truth and excellence of the Christian religion asserted: against Jews, infidels and hereticks [sic ]..." and "Of our obligation to put our trust in God, rather than in men, and of the advantages of it...Spinckes letter to Richardson then delves into editing details noting that "...I am now trying...to settle this matter by prefixing I, II, III etc. before each head of ye discourse, & referring to ye numbers instead of ye pages...If you apprehend there will, I beg you better direction by ye next post. For there can e very little, perhaps no more than a proof of the first sheet done by ye time. I cannot get Mr. R.. Sare to find ye book for you, as I expected he would have done, but whatever copys you need, he says you shall have, & I will try to secure you so many more than you mention... I have made all ye alterations just as you desired in yo[u]r book here. I have also endeavoured farther to satisfy myself considering ye a part canons, & am fully convinced if you are as secure in relation to them as to ye constitutions... More fine ecclesiastical content.



Letters dealing with the construction of early religious works are very uncommon, especially with such detail which provide the reader with a better understanding of the publishing word in Restoration England. Light soiling, margins slightly uneven with the expected creases, else fine condition.


WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000