Jacob Duche / Discourses on Various Subjects (2 Vols) / First Editions, 1779

Description: Dedicated to Juliana Penn, subscribed by Samuel JohnsonDiscourses on Various Subjects Author: Jacob Duche; Benjamin West [frontispieces] Title: Discourses on Various Subjects Publication: London: J. Phillips / T. Cadell et al, 1779 Description: Good. London: Printed by J. Phillips, George-Yard, Lombard-Street; And Sold by T. Cadell, in the Strand; H. Payne, Pall-Mall; C. Dilly, in the Poultry; and J. Phillips, 1779. First Edition. Two volumes; octavos (21cm.); early 20th-century brown library cloth, upper covers debossed "Mercantile Library Co." in blind, gilt-lettered spines; xii,[28],362; [8],430pp. (both volumes lacking final blanks, else collated complete); engraved frontispieces signed in margin "West."Ex-Mercantile Library Co. with their extensive early 20th-century century rubber-stamps throughout, boards a bit scuffed at spine ends and corners, evidence of spine labels removed, lacking all of the library binding's endpapers, hinges cracked, Vol. I frontispiece starting to separate, uneven foxing throughout. A Good, still quite serviceable set of an exceptionally uncommon collection of colonial American sermons published in exile during the Revolutionary War.A member of the colonial Philadelphia ruling class (his father the Colonel Jacob Duché once served as mayor), Jacob Duché (1738-1798) had gained prominence as a religious leader for the beauty and eloquence of his preaching, serving twice as chaplain to the Continental Congress. However, his political views were at odds with the authors of the Declaration of Independence, and in 1777 he foolishly wrote to George Washington insisting that he undo the Declaration, whether peacefully or by force. For this he and his family were obliged to make a speedy retreat, exiling themselves to London where Duché was once again a hit as a religious orator. Perhaps misleadingly in these two volumes he is listed as the "Rector of Christ-Church and St. Peter's, in Philadelphia," a position he had to abandon in his exile. (See the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography for additional information.)Testament to his popularity in London is the extensive list of subscribers bound at the beginning of Vol. I, boasting the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl of Macclesfield, Dr. Samuel Johnson, and nearly two hundred women, including the dedicatee Juliana Penn who, together with her husband Thomas Penn, played a substantial role in the administration of the Colony of Pennsylvania.ESTC T 116264; SABIN 21050. Seller ID: 29540 Subject: 18th Century, American Revolution, Americana, Colonial Americana, Illustrators, Religion / Theology Capitol Hill Books is a used bookstore located on historic Capitol Hill in Washington DC, with three floors of quality used books, first editions, and rare books. [Note: Our online inventory is stored and managed at a separate location from at our brick and mortar shop. If you have a question about an item listed online, please send a direct message here rather than calling the store so that we can make sure someone familiar with the item in question can respond.] Terms Books described only as First Editions are First Printings unless otherwise specified. All items are guaranteed to be as described or they may be returned within 30 days of receipt for a full refund. All orders ship within two business days. Standard mail is USPS Media Mail. Expedited and international shipping are also available (please contact for estimates). We offer combined shipping on multiple orders. This listing was created by Bibliopolis.

Price: 450 USD

Location: Washington, District Of Columbia

End Time: 2024-10-17T09:45:49.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.5 USD