![C[HURCH], T[homas] (1674-1746). Entertaining Passages Relating to Philip's War which Began in the Month of June, 1675. As Also of Expeditions More lately made Against the Common Enemy, and Indian Rebels, in the Eastern Parts of New=England: With Some Account of the Divine Providence Towards Benj. Church Esqr. Boston: B. Green, 1716.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2012/NYR/2012_NYR_02622_0034_000(church_thomas_entertaining_passages_relating_to_philips_war_which_bega072818).jpg?w=1)
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C[HURCH], T[homas] (1674-1746). Entertaining Passages Relating to Philip's War which Began in the Month of June, 1675. As Also of Expeditions More lately made Against the Common Enemy, and Indian Rebels, in the Eastern Parts of New=England: With Some Account of the Divine Providence Towards Benj. Church Esqr. Boston: B. Green, 1716.
4o (192 x 141 mm). (Last two signatures possibly supplied from another copy, a few leaves closely trimmed, just touching catchwords on I2, L2 and Q2, the last leaf with terminal "Finis" cropped.) 20th-century green half morocco, marbled boards.
FIRST EDITION of the most vivid and informative account of King Philip's War: "A LANDMARK WORK" AND "ONE OF THE RAREST IN ITS CLASS" (Sabin).
"Of all the works relating to the events of King Philip's War, this was, perhaps, the most popular. It was compiled by Thomas Church from the notes of his father, Col. Benjamin Church, an important actor in the war" (Church). Although the account was published at a later date, Church was still alive and able to verify the accuracy of his son's narrative. As he writes in a note to the reader, "I hope the reader will pass a favourable Censure upon an Old Soldier, telling of the many Ran-Counters he has had, and yet is come off alive." In addition to the events of King Philip's War, the book describes subsequent expeditions against the Indians (1690, 1692, 1696, and 1703/4) in which the elder Church served. The narrative was immensely influential on the colonists at the edge of the frontier, a book "that stirred the very heart of New England, holding 'children from play and old men from the chimney corner,' having indeed a spell almost beyond the reach of literary art. It is a soldier's bluff narrative of his own dangerous and enticing adventures" (Tyler, History of American Literature II:140). RARE: according to American Book Prices Current only two copies have been sold at auction since 1900. Church 861; Evans 1800; Howes C-405 ("dd"); Sabin 12996; Vail 321. Not in Streeter.
4o (192 x 141 mm). (Last two signatures possibly supplied from another copy, a few leaves closely trimmed, just touching catchwords on I2, L2 and Q2, the last leaf with terminal "Finis" cropped.) 20th-century green half morocco, marbled boards.
FIRST EDITION of the most vivid and informative account of King Philip's War: "A LANDMARK WORK" AND "ONE OF THE RAREST IN ITS CLASS" (Sabin).
"Of all the works relating to the events of King Philip's War, this was, perhaps, the most popular. It was compiled by Thomas Church from the notes of his father, Col. Benjamin Church, an important actor in the war" (Church). Although the account was published at a later date, Church was still alive and able to verify the accuracy of his son's narrative. As he writes in a note to the reader, "I hope the reader will pass a favourable Censure upon an Old Soldier, telling of the many Ran-Counters he has had, and yet is come off alive." In addition to the events of King Philip's War, the book describes subsequent expeditions against the Indians (1690, 1692, 1696, and 1703/4) in which the elder Church served. The narrative was immensely influential on the colonists at the edge of the frontier, a book "that stirred the very heart of New England, holding 'children from play and old men from the chimney corner,' having indeed a spell almost beyond the reach of literary art. It is a soldier's bluff narrative of his own dangerous and enticing adventures" (Tyler, History of American Literature II:140). RARE: according to American Book Prices Current only two copies have been sold at auction since 1900. Church 861; Evans 1800; Howes C-405 ("dd"); Sabin 12996; Vail 321. Not in Streeter.