£200
FIRST EDITION, 2 vols., 12mo, pp. [iv], 338, [10]; [ii], 334, [10]. Contemporary polished tree calf, spines divided by gilt rules, black morocco labels, edges yellow. Toned in places, some spotting. Rubbed, a few tiny chips, boards slightly bowed. Gift inscription to second flyleaves: ‘Hannah Grant, the Gift of her dear Father’.
A scarce abridgement - attributed to Thomas Bradley by Smith - of the authoritative histories of the Quakers, primarily if not exclusively Willem Sewel's 1717 Dutch work (translated into English in 1722) and John Gough's four-volume history of 1789-90. The publishers of these volumes (themselves Quakers, but known for their children's books), may have themselves been expecting more original content; there is an Advertisement in the first volume stating that they 'think it necessary to inform the reader, that the following sheets contain the substance of John Gough's History, and some parts, not noticed by him, from William Sewell, in nearly their own words'. ESTC locates copies in four UK locations (BL, Lancaster, York Minster, and the Society of Friends) and a further half dozen in the USA.
