West Point graduate's copy of the Penny Magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, 1st volume of the NY edition .
New York: William Jackson, 1833-1834. First American edition. Hardcover book. Two volumes bound in one. The Penny Magazine was a British illustrated magazine aimed at the working class, published weekly from 1832 to 1845 and popular due to its low price, wood cut illustrations, and public curiosity despite significant illiteracy of its target audience at that time. This is Volume I & Volume III bound together. Volume is the first American edition published in 1833. The cover article for May 5, 1832 is on the coffee plant.
Owner's signature at ffep: "Greenleaf R. Norris, West Point, August 17th 1836" Norris [1810 - 1866] joined West Point on April 23, 1836. He was listed as a "coachmaker" in 1836, then 'soldier' in the 1850 and 1860 census. His battle unit name was West Point Ordnance Detachment (Regular Army). Later it appears as though his widow applied for a Widow's Civil War Pension.
4to, Vol. 1, 389pp & 9 (3) index, Vol. 3, 511pp (1) index. 3/4 black leather and marbled boards, spine lacking, front board detached but present, internally clean, binding holding. Fair. Item #29304
Price: $275.00