Description
A remarkable, story-rich copy of Voltaire’s Essay on Universal History (Edinburgh, 1777; Vol. I, Nugent translation) carrying a Revolutionary-War at-sea inscription that ties it directly to the Massachusetts privateer Lively under Captain Daniel Adams. On the rear endpaper a contemporary hand records:
“Richd McClure His Book Given By Cpt Jno Johnson Prisoner On Board the Lively Dan. Adams Esqr Commander June the 22d 1782.”
Later, the volume passed to Samuel Emmes of Boston’s North End, who signs in ink and pencil on multiple leaves (title, preface, blanks), often as “Saml/ Samuel Emmes, Boston,” with dates 1815, 1817, 1822 and the address “North Ann Street.” Few 18th-century books preserve such a vivid prisoner-gift aboard ship provenance with named individuals, vessel, commander, and exact date.
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Edition & imprint: Edinburgh, 1777. Volume I (Nugent translation). Title page lists the prominent Scottish booksellers/publishers (Balfour, Gordon, Bell, Donaldson, Dickson, W. Creech, C. Elliot, Drummond & Gray)
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Revolutionary-War inscription (primary): “Given by Capt. Jno. Johnson, prisoner, on board the Lively, Dan. Adams Esqᵣ Commander, June 22, 1782” to Richard McClure
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Boston provenance (secondary): Multiple Samuel Emmes ownerships, incl. “Boston, North Ann Street,” with dates spanning 1815-1822; additional pencil “$3000” ciphering on a rear blank
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Why it’s special: Direct tie to an American privateer and a POW exchange/encounter in 1782; unusually explicit narrative inscription (names, ship, commander, date) rare to find in surviving books
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Research value: Links literary Enlightenment print culture to Revolutionary maritime history; fertile ground for directory/prize-court follow-up on Johnson and McClure, and for North End/Boston studies via Emmes
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Condition (please see all photos): Vol. I only. Expected age wear; toning/foxing, handling soil to title, edge nicks and corner creases; scattered ink/pencil inscriptions as noted; inner margins show typical stress. Binding not fully assessed in photos-assume sound but worn; offered as found to preserve historical annotations
This is a compelling Americana & Maritime association copy. The blend of a Revolutionary privateer, a prisoner’s gift inscription, and documented Boston ownership across decades makes it stand out for collectors and institutions alike.
