DAVY CROCKETT – Davy Crockett's Almanacs. Vol. 1, nos. 1-4; Vol. 2, nos. 1-3 (all published of the original series); and 21 continuing almanacs. Nashville and other places, 1834-1855.

“I leave this rule for others, when I’m dead; Be always sure you’re right, then Go-Ahead!”

The original Davy Crockett almanacs: an outstanding fount of early American humor. As complete a collection as has ever come to auction and including a near fine copy of the extremely rare first number. This is the Edward Litchfield set, with additions. According to the records of RBH and ABPC, when the Litchfield set sold at Sotheby's New York in 2001 it was already the most extensive series offered to date. Since 2001, seven further issues have been added by the current owner. Present in this collection are all seven original volumes beginning in 1835, and a complete run through 1856. No other copy of the 1835 Crockett almanac has appeared at auction since 2001.

Both the tales and the illustrations in the almanacs are truly marvelous, especially the early ones. They include such legends as Ben Hardin jumping down the throat of an alligator and choking him to death, Crockett’s unexpected ride on the horns of an elk, and Judy Finx riding on a tame bear and fending off wolves and cougars. “From 1835- to 1856 about 55 varieties [of Crockett’s almanacs] were published in cities all over the country … The almanacs use a pastiche of Crockett’s voice to tell amusing tall tales of life in the backwoods and feature dynamic and unmistakably American woodcuts of the bawdy adventures of Crockett and his neighbors. In addition to a straightforward yearly almanac each issue features stories and illustrations in which Crockett handily wins fights against panthers, bears, and snakes in the woods of Tennessee while keeping his characteristic good humor … The new ideal American, exemplified by Davy Crockett’s image in his almanacs, was self-sufficient and forward-looking: ‘The Backwoodsman is a singular being, always moving westward like a buffalo before the tide of civilization. He does not want a neighbor nearer than ten miles; and when he cannot cut down a tree that will fall within ten rods of his log house, he thinks it time to sell out his betterment and be off’ (Davy Crockett’s almanack…1838, p. 44)” (C. Falzone, N-YHS “From the Stacks,” blogpost, 2012). Grolier American 39 (illustrated); Streeter sale 4182 (no. 1).

COMPRISES:
1. “Go Ahead!” Davy Crockett’s Almanack of Wild Sports of the West, and Life in the Backwoods. Calculated for All the States in the Union. 1835. Nashville: for the author, [1834]. Vol. 1, no. 1. (Short edge-tear to front wrapper and several following leaves.)
2. “Go Ahead.” Davy Crockett’s Almanack of Wild Sports of the West, and Life in the Backwoods. Calculated for All the States in the Union. 1836. Nashville: for the author, [1835].
3. “Go Ahead!” Davy Crockett’s Almanack of Wild Sports in the West. Life in the Backwoods, & Sketches of Texas. 1837. Nashville: published by the Heirs of Col. Crockett, [1836].
4. “Go Ahead!” Davy Crockett’s Almanack of Wild Sports in the West. Life in the Backwoods, Sketches of Texas, and Rows on the Mississippi. 1838. Nashville: published by the heirs of Col. Crockett, [1837].
5. “Go Ahead!!” The Crockett Almanack. 1839. Containing Adventures, Exploits, Sprees & Scrapes in the West, & Life and Manners in the Backwoods. “Nashville”: Ben Harding, [1838].
6. “Go Ahead!!” The Crockett Almanack. 1840. Containing Adventures, Exploits, Sprees & Scrapes in the West, & Life and Manners in the Backwoods. “Nashville”: Ben Harding, [1839]. (Stitches lacking, small stain to front wrapper.)
7. “Go Ahead!!” The Crockett Almanack. 1841. Containing Adventures, Exploits, Sprees & Scrapes in the West, & Life and Manners in the Backwoods. “Nashville”: Ben Harding, [1840]. (Couple of small stains to front wrapper.)
8. Crockett’s Yaller Flower Almanac for ’36. Snagville, Salt-River: published by Boon Crocketts, and Squire Dowling, Skunk’s Misery, Down East. [New York: Elton, 1835].
9. Crockett Comic Almanac. 1839. [New York: Dix, 1839.] (Lower left corner torn on front wrapper with small loss.)
10. Crockett Comic Almanac 1840. [N.p., 1839.] (One page defective with loss.)
11. The Crockett Almanac 1841. Boston: J. Fisher, [1840].
12. Crockett’s Harrison Almanac, 1841. New York: Elton, [1840]. (Browned, disbound, back cover defective.)
13. 1842. Crockett. Boston: Dickinson, et al, [1841].
14. Ben Hardin’s Crockett Almanac. 1842. New York: Turner & Fisher, [1841]. (Disbound.)
15. Fisher’s Crockett Almanac. 1843. New York: Turner & Fisher, [1842].
16. Davy Crockett’s Almanac 1844. Boston: J. Fisher, [1843]. (Browned.)
17. Davy Crockett’s Almanac 1845. Boston: J. Fisher, [1844].
18. Crockett’s Almanac 1846. Boston: J. Fisher, [1845].
19. Davy Crockett’s Almanac 1847. New York: Turner & Fisher, [1846].
20. Crockett’s Almanac 1848. Philadelphia: Turner & Fisher, [1847].
21. Crockett Almanac 1849. Boston: James Fisher, [1848].
22. Crockett’s Almanac 1850. New York: Fisher & Brothers, [1849]. (Unstitched.)
23. Crockett’s Almanac 1851. New York: Fisher & Brother, [1850].
24. Crockett Almanac 1852. Philadelphia: Fisher & Brother, [1851].
25. Crockett Almanac 1853. Philadelphia: Fisher & Brother, [1852].
26. Crockett Almanac 1854. Philadelphia: Fisher & Brother, [1853].
27. Crockett Almanac 1855. Philadelphia: Fisher & Brother, [1854].
28. Crockett Almanac 1856. Philadelphia: Fisher & Brother, [1855]. (Browned, unstitched.)
29. Beadle’s Dime Library. Life and Adventures of Colonel David Crockett. New York: Beadle, n.d. Original printed orange wrappers (front wrapper chipped with losses).

Together, 29 volumes, 8vo, being 28 almanacs and one Dime biography. Wood-engraved text illustrations throughout, some full page. Original wrappers, often uncut. Generally excellent condition (some spotting and edge-wear, occasional stains, other condition points noted above). Housed together in a custom morocco-backed clamshell box. Provenance: Edward Sands Litchfield (his sale, Sotheby's New York, 29 November 2001, lot 35, for 22 of the present 29 items).