Beschreibung:

A Two Years Journal in New-York: and Part of its territories in America. London: Printed for Dickenson Boys in Lowth and George Barton in Boston, 1701. [8], 90 [but 104] pp. Half-title. Publisher's 5-page advertisement headed "Books printed for Eben Tracy." 8vo (140 x 84 mm). Period blind-ruled sheep. Custom chemise and quarter morocco slipcase. Very pale dampstaining to endpapers and to the first and last gatherings, early repair to binding across lower portion of spine, joints a bit dry. FIRST EDITION, A BEAUTIFUL COPY IN PERIOD SHEEP OF ONE OF THE RAREST BOOKS RELATING TO NEW YORK CITY. Charles Wolley (or Wooley) was resident chaplain at Fort James, in present-day Battery Park, from 1678 to 1680. Wolley's is one of the rarest—and the most interesting—contemporary narratives pertaining to 17th-century New York. He describes some escapades with his English and Dutch neighbors, ice-skating, whaling, rattlesnakes, and, primarily, the native Indians: their dress, trading habits, prices of various pelts, skill with the bow and arrow, canoes, snow-shoes, sweating, marriage, etc. This is the second issue with revised title-page and corrections in quire C. Howes lists both issues as "dd" ("superlatively rare--almost unobtainable"). Church 801; Howes W620; Sabin 104994; Vail 290. Acquisition: Siebert sale, Sotheby's New York, May 21, 1999, lot 123, $33,350.