(Watts, Isaac, and John Cotton). The New-England Primer Improved. For the more easy attaining the true Reading of English. To which is added, The Assembly of Divines Catechism, &c.

Boston: Printed by W. M'Alpine, about Midway between the Governor's and Dr. Gardiner's, Marlborough-street, 1767. 48mo. 40 leaves. Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece portrait of George III and five in-text engravings. Quarter brown calf over drab paper-covered wooden boards, wear along extremities; all edges trimmed; scattered soiling to text; text leaves lightly to moderately toned, with wear along edges; dampstaining in upper gutter of some leaves at front; faint remnants of contemporary ownership signature in fore-edge of frontispiece; short closed tear in fore-edge of B6; repairs at rear affecting final three leaves; last page worn. In brown morocco pull-off case. From the family library of Americana and autograph collectors Amor and Zachary T. Hollingsworth. Heartman 26; Evans 10700 (but matching imprint of Heartman 25); ESTC W35998; OCLC 1111825889; not in Ford or Rosenbach

An exceptionally rare edition of this highly desirable Boston printed New-England Primer. Of the Primers published in 1767, Heartman could locate only three other American imprints (and one London imprint), all existing as single copies.

RBH locates only one other copy having sold at auction, in 1919, then catalogued as "the most excessive rarity." Of this edition, Heartman locates only two other copies, at the Huntington Library and the New York Public Library, while OCLC locates an additional--and imperfect--copy at the Beinecke Library. ESTC locates another, imperfect copy, at the American Antiquarian Society.

A very well-preserved example of a fragile work that is often found imperfect--an enduring classic of children's books.

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Darren Winston

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[email protected]267.414.1247

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

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(Watts, Isaac, and John Cotton). The New-England Primer Improved. For the more easy attaining the true Reading of English. To which is added, The Assembly of Divines Catechism, &c.

Printed and Manuscript Americana

(Watts, Isaac, and John Cotton). The New-England Primer Improved. For the more easy attaining the true Reading of English. To which is added, The Assembly of Divines Catechism, &c.

Printed and Manuscript Americana

(Watts, Isaac, and John Cotton). The New-England Primer Improved. For the more easy attaining the true Reading of English. To which is added, The Assembly of Divines Catechism, &c.

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