Franklin, Benjamin ("Richard Saunders") (1706-1790). Poor Richard Improved: Being an Almanack and Ephemeris of the Motions of the Sun and Moon... For the Year of our Lord 1754. Philadelphia: B. Franklin and D. Hall, [1753].

12mo (178 x 102 mm). Woodcut zodiac man and monthly panels. (Lower fore-edge corner of last leaf chipped with loss to a few letters, fore-edges frayed, toning and spotting throughout.) Half modern calf, marbled boards. Provenance: Edward Brinton (1704-1779), Brinton was the son of William Brinton and an important early settler of West Chester, Pennsylvania (ownership signatures on title-page margins); unidentified inscriptions also on title; sold, Bonhams, 28 June 2005, lot 3248.

FIRST EDITION. In the preface, Franklin discusses the history of almanac makers (primarily, by his own admission, just to fill the page), followed by statistics on the population of New Jersey, a receipt for curing gammons, and astrological information. The calendar is interspersed with the conclusion of his essay "On Idea of the Creator from his Works." The final two leaves list court days in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, as well as post road routes and Quaker meetings. Two issues are noted: the present without the advertisement on verso of E4. Campbell 510; Drake 9756; Evans 7003; Ford 92; Hildeburn 1325; Miller 570 (21 copies identified); ESTC W22788.

This lot is located in Chicago.

Franklin, Benjamin ("Richard Saunders") (1706-1790). Poor Richard Improved: Being an Almanack and Ephemeris of the Motions of the Sun and Moon... For the Year of our Lord 1754. Philadelphia: B. Franklin and D. Hall, [1753].