ROBINSON CRUSOE IS PUBLISHED

1719postboy1.jpgTHE VERY FIRST ADVERTISEMENT FOR DANIEL DEFOE’S IMMORTAL WORK

The Post Boy
London, England
Apr. 25-28, 1719

The first item on the verso has the following historic announcement: “This Day is publish’d. 1. The Life and strange surprizing Adventures of Robinson Cruso, of York, Mariner, who liv’d 28 Years all alone in an uninhabited Island on the Coast of America, near the mouth of the great river Oronoque, having been cast on Shoar by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself; and an Account how he was at last strangely deliver’d by Pyrates. Written by himself, price 5 s.”

Defoe’s famous novel has delighted children and adults of all ages for centuries. This issue contains the dateline “Saturday April 25 to Tuesday Aprile 28, 1719″ – the book was actually first published on the 25th, making this the very first notice of its availability (I wonder what lucky reader purchased the first copy!)

Single sheet, large octavo. In near mint condition, virtually as printed. Superb and the only one available anywhere.

$6,500

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Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, European History