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Table of Contents > Colonial America > Lot 71 |
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Lot Number: 71
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $8,000 - $10,000 |
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1774 “THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY” Patriotic Boston Newspaper Published by Isaiah Thomas Featuring Its Famous “JOIN OR DIE” SEVERED SNAKE Masthead Engraved by Paul Revere |
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November 24, 1774-Dated Pre-Revolutionary War Colonial Period, Newspaper fully titled, "The Massachusetts Spy Or, Thomas's Boston Journal.", with the historic "JOIN OR DIE" Patriotic Legend within a “Severed Snake” Design in the Masthead, representing the American Colonies, “Volume IV.) THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1774. (Number 199.” published by Isaiah Thomas (1749-1831), Boston, 4 pages, complete, expertly conserved, Fine. An exceptionally rare, fiery content Boston Newspaper Issue of November 24, 1774 (Number 199), published just five months prior to the start of the Revolutionary War at Lexington & Concord, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. This original and authentic, 4-page complete Newspaper has a choice Masthead, which stands as the most important and valuable portion. It has been expertly conserved, measures 18" x 11.75", printed in Boston by Patriot Isaiah Thomas. The expert conservation accomplished archival cleaning and had any paper acidity neutralized, margin edges and scattered losses were professionally repaired or reinforced with special archival paper, as shown. The Patriotic text printed within the masthead’s header written by Thomas reads: “Do THOU Great LIBERTY inspire our Souls -- And make our Lives in THY Possession happy -- Or, our Deaths glorious in THY just Defence.”The important Masthead is Engraved by the famed Boston Patriot Silversmith and a Founding Member of the “Sons of Liberty”, Paul Revere, Jr. This critically important Paul Revere Engraved Woodcut features a huge Snake shown cut into smaller sections, appearing ready to fight a facing snarling evil looking Dragon (Representing England). The Snake’s “reconnected” parts being labeled with the Initials representative of the American Colonies from several New England colonies combined (N.E) down to Georgia (G). Paul Revere also Engraved the other vignette and fancy portions of this large Masthead. The “JOIN OR DIE” shown above a “Severed Snake” design. Each partial section of the Snake being labeled as one of the American Colonies (all of New England, represented as “N E” is one section of its own being the head). The concept for the Snake design was first used by Benjamin Franklin as an editorial cartoon, placed in his Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754. This current motif being a nod to the earlier "Unite Or Die" engraving used in the masthead of the Pennsylvania Journal for a period of time, created by Ben Franklin during the earlier French & Indian War. The current Snake design is here printed with great urgency and Patriotic cause in the wake of the “Intolerable Acts” on Boston being enforced by the King’s Royal Governor and his British Troops. This four-page Boston newspaper has been expertly conserved for preservation being de-acidified and archival reinforced so as to be easily fully opened and held in a more attractive solid condition to be read. There is an 5" long x 2" wide paper loss at left affecting the first column of text on the front page, several other small scattered wear holes have been archival sealed at the centerfold intersections of the pages as shown. The conservation has created a very collectible copy of this rare newspaper, the all important Masthead engraved by Paul Revere enjoying its clean distinct appearance, reinforced to be fully opened to read. Isaiah Thomas made clear in his “History of Printing in North-America” how this was a formidable animal: “The head and tail of the snake were supplied with stings, for defence against the dragon [of Great Britain], which appeared furious, and as bent on attacking the snake. "This design is similar, and has the addition of a Griffin snarling at the head of the snake (representing Great Britain). The front page is nearly entirely dedicated to a speech made in the Continental Congress, which details all of the wrongs committed by Britain against the Colonies. Page 3 has a letter from Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson dated March 9, 1774, to Lord Dartmouth, writing of the unrest in the Colony over British measures and mentions the “Boston Tea Party”. There is also a Reward advertisements for the return of a Runaway “Indian Boy” and also a Runaway “Negro Man” on the back page, plus many business ads and notices. Two of note being Bickerstaff’s Boston Alamanck and Low’s Almanack both for 1775, each mentioning Engravings within (Engraved by Paul Revere). An important newspaper in its own right containing outstanding reports from the Liberty loving Patriot’s perspective. Recently, a similar issue dated October 27, 1774, Issue number 195, stated in very fine condition was offered to sell at $18,500 by a historic newspaper dealer with the comment: “In our 46 years in this hobby we have never located an issue for sale. This is our first.” Regardless of condition issues now archival conserved, it is a remarkable highlight for any Revolutionary War, Newspaper, or Paul Revere Engraving collection. Reference See: PAUL REVERE’S ENGRAVINGS, by Clarence Brigham, 1969 2nd Edition, Illustrated page 205, Plate 70. Ex: PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II, to Our Current Consignor. American Colonists up and down the Thirteen Colonies in turn responded to the Intolerable Acts with their own additional acts of protest, and by convening the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, which petitioned the British Monarch King George III for repeal of the Acts, and thus began the coordinated Colonial resistance to them. Isaiah Thomas (1749-1831), himself a writer and printer, led a most interesting life. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts and Apprenticed as a Printer. Over the years, he became a successful printer, bookseller, and publisher of his own accord and merits. He played a crucial role in the printing and dissemination of Patriotic American Revolutionary literature. Thomas was involved in the printing of numerous important historic documents, including the First official printed copy of the Declaration of Independence. After the start of the American Revolutionary War in April 1775, Isaiah Thomas moved to Worcester, Massachusetts where he continued his career in printing and publishing. While in Worcester, he later established the American Antiquarian Society in 1812, serving as a research library that aimed to preserve the history of the United States through its diverse printed materials. Isaiah Thomas's many significant noteable contributions to the American Revolution, through journalism and the preservation of historical materials have left a lasting legacy. “The Massachusetts Spy” newspaper under his guidance, is remembered as a significant publication that played a role in shaping public opinion during a crucial period in American history. American Patriot Isaiah Thomas was the publisher of this newspaper who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War period. This highly political paper that was constantly on the verge of being suppressed by the British Royal Governor from the time of its establishment in 1770 thru 1776. This period being preliminary to the outbreak of the American Revolution. Between the years 1771 to 1773 the “Massachusetts Spy” featured the essays of various anonymous political commentators so as to protect their identities. The “Spy” soon carried American Patriot radicalism to its logical conclusion. Articles from the Spy were reprinted in many other American newspapers. Shortly afterwards, Thomas Paine's “Common Sense” was published (1776). The Spy newspaper had to be “removed” from Boston, and was relocated to Worcester, Massachusetts after its final Boston issue dated April 6, 1775. This date being only 12 days before Paul Revere’s famous ride and the Start of the American Revolutionary War at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, and then during the subsequent Siege of Boston against the British. Moving his Patriotic American Newspaper to Worchester prevented the arrest of Isaiah Thomas and saved his essential printing presses from being seized and destroyed by the British. Also See: “The story behind the (First in 1754) Join or Die Snake Cartoon” published May 9, 2024 by the National Constitution Center Staff @ https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-story-behind-the-join-or-die-snake-cartoon |
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Keywords: MASSACHUSETTS SPY, Patriotic Boston Newspaper, 1774, Lexington & Concord, Revolutionary War, Newspaper, Masthead, Isaiah Thomas, Patriot, Boston, Sons of Liberty, Paul Revere, JOIN OR DIE, Severed Snake, American Colonies, British Troops, King’s Royal Governor, Isaiah Thomas, Unite Or Die, Continental Congress |
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Lot Number: 71
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $8,000 - $10,000 |
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Early American History Auctions, Inc. 1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290 Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com |
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