How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

The Pennsylvania Magazine: Or, American Monthly Museum for June 1776
Philadelphia: Printed by R. Aitken, 1776. Number VI, Volume II. First edition. 8vo. (iv), 253-296 pp. Manuscript on front wrapper ("Mr Ebenezer Hazard / N.C. Co."). Edited by Thomas Paine. Illustrated with one folding map. Original limp printed wrappers, original thread intact, rear wrapper detached, front wrapper nearly detached, scattered foxing, wear along edges; all edges untrimmed; sheets moderately toned; wear along edges. Sabin 60346

Among the earliest of any type of publication to announce American independence. Although dated June 1776, the monthly issues were traditionally published the first Wednesday of the following month, which would have been on July 3. Due to a temporary paper shortage ("Our customers will excuse us, though the day of publication be sometimes delayed: The great difficulty we have procuring printing paper, renders it impossible for us to publish always on the first Wednesday of the month.", as printed in the apologia within), the printing was delayed until no later than July 4 or 5, allowing enough time to add at the end of the "Monthly Intelligence" section the important Congressional announcement, that on, "July 2. This day the Hon. Continental Congress declared the UNITED COLONIES FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES."

In the column immediately preceding the above news, the text of Pennsylvania’s own declaration of independence reads, in part: “Whereas George the Third... in violation of the principles of the British constitution, and of the laws of justice and humanity... We the DEPUTIES of the people of Pennsylvania, assembled in FULL Provisional Conference for forming a plan for the executing the resolve of Congress of the 15th of May last, for suppressing all authority in this province derived from the crown of Great-Britain, and for establishing a government upon the authority of the people only, DO in this public manner... UNANIMOUSLY declare our willingness to concur in a vote of the Congress declaring the United Colonies free and independent STATES....”

This periodical is preceded by four other printed announcements: Pennsylvania Evening Post, July 2; Die Germantowner Zeitung, July 3; Pennsylvania Journal, July 3; Pennsylvania Gazette, July 3.

Rare to auction, especially in the original wrappers. According to RBH, only three other copies have come to auction since the Laird Park sale in 2000.

Lot includes an engraved portrait of John Hancock, and engraved print of the Declaration after John Trumbull.