(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.

(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.