Susanna Rowson, 1794

ROWSON, Mrs [Susanna Haswell] (1762-1824). Mentoria; or the Young Lady's Friend. Philadelphia: Printed for Robert Campbell, 1794.

The first American, and only obtainable, edition; complete with adverts, in a contemporary binding. Rare at auction—the last copy to sell was in the Frank Hogan library at Parke-Bernet in 1945 (likely this copy based on its description, though hard to say for certain). There is no record of the 1791 London imprint at auction.

Mentoria collected didactic tales and essays, including views on education. In addition to being a prolific novelist, a playwright, and an actress, Rowson was also a pioneer in female education, opening the Academy for Young Ladies in Boston in 1797, where she offered an advanced curriculum; it was one of America's first schools to offer girls education beyond the elementary level. She operated the school until her retirement in 1822, at which time the school was willed to her niece and an adopted daughter. BAL 16999; Evans 27654; Wright 2253.

Two volumes in one, 12mo (174 x 100mm). 3 pp. of adverts at rear (lacking endpapers, A2 & A3 in preface loosening, very minor dampstain periodically at gutters, occasional small losses or tears at margins). Contemporary sheep (rubbed and worn, particularly at spine head). Provenance: Lucy Smith (ownership inscription to title page) – Hannah Smith (ownership inscription to rear pastedown).