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

Germantown: Christoph Sauer, 1739. First edition, second issue (with the correct imposition of signature B). 8vo. (xii), 792, (14) pp. Likely contemporary boards, spine perished, original leather removed, boards detached but holding; all edges trimmed; marbled paste-downs (free endpapers perished), partially exposed contemporary waste-paper under same; spotting and toning; one leaf of manuscript at rear. Evans 4466; Hildeburn 617; Sabin 106364

The first book from the press of Christoph Sauer, and possibly the first book printed with German type in America.

Christoph Sauer (1695-1758) was the first German printer and publisher in America. Emigrating from Schwarzenau, Germany (now Berleburg) to Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1724, he established a press there in 1738 to serve the needs of the growing German-speaking population in the colonies. The present volume, comprised of hymns created by Johann Conrad Beissel (founder of the Ephrata Community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania) and others, was compiled for the use by the Ephrata Community, and is considered the Community's "largest and most important collection of the hymns". "As the edition was small and the book was in common use for devotional purposes, it has become extremely scarce, nearly all of the few known copies being imperfect." (Hildeburn)