The Works of John Woolman in Two Parts

Philadelphia: Joseph Crukshank, 1774. First edition. Leather. Near Fine. 8.5" by 5". None. A really lovely copy of the first edition of this highly influential autobiography by John Woolman, a noted Quaker preacher and early abolitionist. The first edition. Two parts in one. Collated complete with half titles present as called for. John Woolman was a North American merchant and Quaker preacher, renowned for his abolitionist beliefs in the colonial era. Woolman spent much of his life travelling across North America preaching his Quaker beliefs, alongside his belief against slavery, cruelty to animals, oppression and conscription. In 1772, he then travelled to England in an effort to urge Quakers to support his belief in the abolition of slavery. Woolman published numerous essays, many of which relate to his abolitionist beliefs, but it is this memoir, published posthumously, for which Woolman is best remembered. Woolman kept a journal throughout his life and his staunch beliefs and ethics have meant that the work is considered a prominent American spiritual work, which has remained in print since its publication in 1774. Woolman's autobiography is one of the longest books to remain in print in American history. The work is divided into two sections, the first of which being his journal and the section his works. The work is an extremely important example of both an early abolitionist viewpoint and the origin of a long lasting publishing history. Rebacked in a full calf binding. Externally very smart with slight rubbing, particularly to the extremities. Hinges have been professionally reinforced.Contemporary ink inscription to front free endpaper. Offsetting to endpapers. Internally firmly bound. Pages generally bright and clean with just some marginal age toning and the odd spot. Contemporary ink inscription to title page. Near Fine