[BELKNAP, Jeremy (1744-1798).] The Foresters, an American Tale. Boston: I. Thomas and E.T. Andrews, 1792.

First edition in book form, in a contemporary binding, of a comic history of the settlement of English North America, anonymously written by the "Plutarch of America." Jeremy Belknap was called America's finest native historian by Tocqueville and was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Historical Society—the first such society in America. This work is a little different from his main corpus, offering a twisted take on his nation's history from Sir Walter Raleigh (as "Sir Walter Pipeweed") to the Stamp Act; the Puritan settlers are represented by the character of "Peregrine Pickle." It first appeared serialized in The Columbian Magazine in 1797-88. Evans 24086; Sabin 4433.

12mo (169 x 101mm). Engraved frontispiece in first state. Contemporary sheep (a little rubbed, chips at heads of spine); modern chemise and half-morocco slipcase. Provenance: gift inscription from "Captain Thomas Drury" – "John Corby" (? faded inscription on title) – "J. Ramsay" (very faded stamp on title) – "Nicholl" (repeated stamp on rear flyleaves).