R. Burton (Nathaniel Crouch), A Journey to Jerusalem, J. Babcock, 1796, Fair, softcover

Burton, Richard, (Nathaniel Crouch). A Journey to Jerusalem, Containing the Travels of Fourteen Englishmen in 1667 to the Holyland and other memorable places noted in Scripture, to which is prefixed memorable and remarks upon the ancient and modern state of the JEWISH NATION. Together with a relation of the Great Council of the Jews, in the plains of Hungary 1650, to examine scriptures concerning Christ, by Samuel Beert, an Englishman who was present. Hartford: J. Babcock, 1796.

English, 2nd print, Good-, duodecimo, 4" x 6 1/2", 32 pp

Good/Fair duodecimo, paper covers with leather back strip, heavy wear, bumping and lengthwise crease to front cover, blue endpapers, missing half to front free endpaper, missing chip, 1 1/2" x 2" to back endpaper. Previous owner's name written in fountain pen twice, "Helen Greene's book, Oma last gift to me" on title page, again "Helen Greene" to back of title page. 1/2" tear and tea stain to pages 1-18 at side edge, text still legible. Stain on page 53-54 at top edge, foxing throughout, chipping and tear to page 115 encroaching on text edge, but intact, still legible, pages 129-132 with clipped corners above pagination. Binding sturdy, all pages present.

Nathaniel Crouch, author, publisher, and historian, is a controversial figure British history; he was accused of borrowing, synthesizing and repackaging, and publishing others' texts under his own pseudonym R. Burton. However, later scholarship acknowledges that he is also widely recognized for propagating literacy and public interest in history and the sciences by producing inexpensive, compelling volumes. Crouch is also credited with developing a method for succinctly relaying information in laymen's terms using a combination of text and dramatic illustrations that enticed "the average Londoner."  

J. Babcock & Co. was a multi-generational publisher in Hartford, Connecticut, with a family connection to President John Adams. Elisha Babcock and his brother John Babcock Jr., published the Hampshire Gazette and the American Mercury. An artifact of publishing history connecting the UK and the U.S., this volume is still bound and legible, scarce in the trade. csh.org