An Astronomical Diary or Almanack, for the Year of Our Lord Christ 1771.

AMES, Nathaniel. [Benjamin Franklin].

$3,500.00

Item Number: 125283

Boston: Printed and Sold by the Printers and Booksellers, [1770].

First edition of Nathaniel Ames’ 1771 Almanack, containing the first known printing of “the most famous of American epitaphs” (Mark Van Doren). 12mo, original wrappers stitched as issued. In very good condition. Housed in a custom cloth chemise and half morocco slipcase. An exceptional example of this scarce early almanac.

Ames' almanac contains, on page 4, the first known appearance in print of Ben Franklin's humorous epitaph of himself: "The Body of Benjamin Franklin, Printer, Like the covering of an Old Book, Its Contents Torn out, and Stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms…" Franklin composed his epitaph in 1728 at the age of 22 and at least three copies of it are known to exist in his hand. Ames took the text from a manuscript copy in the possession of Jane Mecom, Franklin's sister, who also lived in Boston. His almanacs are considered, along with Franklin's Poor Richard, the best ever produced in America (New Colophon, 23). In his will, Franklin did identify himself as a printer, but only his name and that of his wife Deborah are on their tomb. Evans 11548. Sabin 1309.