Beschreibung:

Truth Advanced in the Correction of Many Gross & hurtful Errors; Wherein is occasionally opened & explained many great and peculiar Mysteries and Doctrines of the Christian Religion … Whereunto is added, A Chronological Treatise of the several Ages of the World.
N.p. [but New York: William Bradford], 1694. Small 4to (173 x 140 mm). 2 parts in one, with a general title and separate title for the second part. [1], [2], [6], 184; 32 pp. Fine burgundy levant morocco by Riviere & Son, covers triple ruled in gilt, spine in six compartments with raised bands and elaborately stamped in gilt, inner dentelles gilt, a.e.g. Condition : head of title in expert facsimile affecting first four words and several additional letters, other paper restoration to the title and lower margin of the first leaf of the Preface, paper evenly toned throughout; minor rubbing principally along the front joint. Provenance : Henry F. Depuy (morocco gilt label on the front pastedown, Anderson Galleries, 26 January 1920, lot 1323); George D. Smith (Anderson Galleries, 16 May 1921, lot 103); Michael Zinman (pencil notes on the front free endpaper). the first book printed in new york and a “major monument to printing” (Reese). After publishing George Keith’s 1692 An Appeal, deemed by the Society to be seditious, William Bradford was imprisoned and some of his type and tools confiscated. Released from prison after a trial failed to find him guilty, Bradford was offered a position by Governor Fletcher of New York as the official printer to that colony. Bradford fled Philadelphia and established himself in that city in May 1693. The first issues from that press, identified and described by Eames, consisted prior to this book entirely of pamphlets (the longest being 38 pp.), almanacs, broadsides and government printings of session laws. This book is not only the first substantial book printed in New York, but remained, with one exception, the longest production from Bradford’s press until 1710. Advertised in his Almanack for 1694 as being “now in the press,” Truth Advanced was likely published by Bradford in April or May of that year. Bradford printed the work entirely on paper produced at the Rittenhouse Mill, of which he was part owner. The first paper mill in all of British America only began operation in 1691, making Truth Advanced one of the earliest books printed entirely on American-made paper. The second part to the work, A Chronological Treatise, is signed separately and is treated by some bibliographers as being a separate publication; however, it should more rightly be considered integral to Truth Advanced . Truth Advanced is “Keith’s final and complete statement of his theological doctrines, and as such is a vital document in the history of the Quakers and the Keithian dispute … Its publication marked the end of the Keithian dispute in America, since Keith had renounced Quakerism by the time he returned [to America] in 1702” (Reese, Works of George Keith Printed in America). This lovely copy brought a strong price of $760 at the 1920 Depuy sale. The book is very rare, with just 11 other known copies (including several defective); this copy is believed to be the only remaining in private hands . Church 745; Eames, First Year of Printing in New York 36; Evans 691; Grolier Club, The Bradford Exhibition 23; Reese, George Keith’s American Imprints 22 (in Princeton University Library Chronicle, Spring 1977); Reese, Printer’s First Fruits 34; Sabin 37224 and 37187; Wing K223.