Poor Richard’s Almanack.

SAUNDERS, Richard (Benjamin Franklin).

Item Number: 37048

Philadelphia: B. Franklin, and D. Hall, 1749.

First edition of the 1750 edition of Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack, published under the pseudonym Richard Saunders in full, “Poor Richard improved; Being an Almanack and Ephemeris of the Motions of the Sun and Moon; The True Places and Aspects of the Planets; The Rising and Setting of the Sun; And the Rising, Setting, and Southing of the Moon, for the Year of our Lord 1750. Containing also, The Lunations, Conjunctions, Eclipses, Judgment of the Weather, Rising and Setting of the Planets, Length of Days and Nights, Fairs, Courts, Roads &.. Together with useful Tables, chronological Observations and entertaining Remarks.” In fine condition, modern boards, light toning, staining, and small loss to the upper right corner of title page, minor chipping to page edges. Rare and desirable.

Published under the pseudonym “Richard Saunders” by American statesman and inventor Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanack appeared continuously each year from 1732 to 1758. Containing meteorological, astrological and astronomical information as typical almanacs of the period contained, Poor Richard’s Almanac is chiefly remembered as a repository for Franklin’s unique aphorisms and proverbs which live on in contemporary American English. With print runs reaching 10,000 per year, the pamphlet sold exceptionally well and became a source of both economic success and fame for its author.