25

“Caribbeana...” Compiled by Samuel Keimer 1741

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
“Caribbeana...” Compiled by Samuel Keimer 1741
Colonial America

“Caribbeana...” Compiled by Samuel Keimer 1741

1741, First Edition, Volume 2 Only of the Book titled, “Caribbeana. Containing Letters and Dissertations, Together With Poetical Essays, on Various Subjects and Occasions; Chiefly Wrote By Several Hands in the West-Indies,” Compiled by Samuel Keimer, Very Fine.

This early work was assembled by Benjamin Franklin's first employer, Samuel Keimer. It measures 8.5” x 7” Octavo, with 358 pages. Contemporary mottled calf, boards are rubbed and worn at its extremities and reinforced, hinges worn, spine has been re-covered. There is scattered light damp staining throughout with the owner’s bookplate “William Griffitts” plus two notations on the front pages of passing this copy to family members date in 1781 and 1797. A remarkable collection of work on the British colonies in the Caribbean, and especially Barbados. Scores of articles are included, covering the issues of politics, law, government, and trade relating to Barbados, and other British colonies in the West Indies. Also included are various poems, epigrams, satiric verse, love songs, and more. A very rare and valuable source on contemporary Barbados and Caribbean history, and quite rare on the market.

The articles collected here originally appeared in The Barbados Gazette, the first newspaper printed in the Caribbean (according to Isaiah Thomas). The paper was first a weekly, and then was published twice a week. The Gazette was founded and edited by the British-born printer, Samuel Keimer, who is best known for being Benjamin Franklin's first employer in Philadelphia. Keimer started the paper in 1731, shortly after moving to Barbados from Philadelphia, and the Gazette lasted until 1738. The articles collected in this volume were printed between 1731 and 1738. Keimer died shortly thereafter, and these collected pieces from his newspaper were published in London by a consortium of booksellers. Some of the pieces collected herein, however, had not been previously published in the Gazette.