Description
Early American school edition of Oliver Goldsmith’s Roman History, abridged by himself “for the use of schools.” Ninth American edition, printed and published in 1816 by Paraclete Potter of Poughkeepsie, New York. A solid example of an early 19th-century schoolbook with appealing Hudson River Valley imprint and family provenance.
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Title page: “Goldsmith’s Roman History. Abridged by Himself. For the Use of Schools. Ninth American Edition. Poughkeepsie: Published by Paraclete Potter. P. & S. Potter, Printers. 1816.”
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Complete small 12mo schoolbook, 263 pages, closing with “THE END” on the final leaf under the heading “Empire of Rome.”
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Original full leather binding with simple gilt-ruled spine and worn “Roman History” label still visible.
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Provenance: ink note on front endpaper reads “Wm W. Steagall, Grandfather of E. D. Lane, Born in 1804,” linking the book to an early 19th-century owner and his descendant.
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Additional faint pencil inscriptions, practice writing, and a short moral verse on the flyleaves, giving the volume a well-used period schoolbook feel.
Condition (please read):
Structurally sound for its age. Original full leather binding is rubbed with scuffing, edge wear, and rounded corners, but both boards remain firmly attached and the spine is intact. Front free endpaper is horizontally torn with some loss and there is a small chip to the lower inner corner near the title page; text itself appears complete through p. 263. Pages are uniformly age-toned with scattered foxing, small stains, and the usual handling wear, but the printing remains clear and legible throughout. Flyleaves show the Steagall/Lane ownership inscription along with various old pencil scribbles and spots. No modern markings or repairs noted.
A good, honest 1816 American school edition of Goldsmith’s Roman History in its original leather, with interesting family provenance and all the character you’d expect from a two-century-old classroom book. In addition to the condition notes above, please view all the photos to judge completeness and wear for yourself.
