BENEZET, Anthony (1713-1784). Some Observations on the Situation, Disposition, and Character of the Indian Natives of this Continent. Philadelphia: Joseph Crukshank, 1784.

Extremely rare first edition of a “remarkably early defense of Indian rights” (Ryan). No copy recorded at auction since 1971 (RBH). Benezet was a prominent abolitionist and the founder of the first anti-slavery society in America, as well as the nation’s first public school for girls. His “compassion for the plight of Natives put him in a distinctly minority position among colonial writers, most of whom expressed clear support for the removal of Natives from the receding frontiers in Pennsylvania.” Sabin 4691. See James Emmett Ryan, Imaginary Friends: Representing Quakers in American Culture, 1650-1950 (2009).

12mo (164 x 100mm). (Some spotting and light browning, a few marginal stains.) Original blue-gray card wrappers (some spotting and staining, minor splits to spine, small wormtrack on upper wrapper into endpaper and lower margin of title). Modern cloth chemise and morocco-backed slipcase. Provenance: Thomas Stewardson, possibly the Philadelphia Quaker and merchant, 1762-1841 (ownership inscription on title).