Printed and Manuscript Americana

New York: John Holt, November 24, 1774. Number 1664. Printed newspaper on bifolium. Disbound; wear along edges; creased along center from old fold; short closed tears along central fold; ownership signature in fore-edge of second page ("Salina Lydig"); scattered soiling.

A rare issue of John Holt's anti-British newspaper, printed less than a month following the adjournment of the First Continental Congress, and featuring the iconic "Unite or Die" masthead, America's first and most famous political cartoon. Benjamin Franklin first created the dissected snake to rally the 13 American colonies during the French and Indian War, and was first published in his Pennsylvania Gazette on May 9, 1754. It was first used by Holt in the June 23, 1774 issue of this newspaper, and last appeared on December 8 of that year.

Within, numerous reports from around the colonies reflect the heightening tensions with Great Britain, including an invective by one "Americanus" against a pro-British pamphlet; an address from the Committee of Mechanicks assuring the people of their determination to "exert ourselves in Support of the common Cause, and shall ever be ready to aid and assist in carrying the salutary Measures of the General Congress into Execution..." and honoring the New York delegates to the First Continental Congress; reports on British troop movements in Massachusetts; the preparation of militia in Marblehead, Massachusetts and in Newport, Rhode Island; and the election of the Committee of Sixty in New York to enforce the Continental Association. Also reported is the Battle of Point Pleasant, between Virginia militia and Shawnee and Mingo warriors in present day West Virginia.