[Johnson, Robert] | edited by Peter Force

THE NEW LIFE OF VIRGINEA [VIRGINIA]: Declaring the Former Successe and Present Estate of that Plantation, Being the Second Part of Nova Britannia

London: Felix Kyngston, 1612 [Washington: Wm. Q. Force, 1836], 1836. Disbound. Very Good binding. Item #6397

Octavo. 24 pp. Removed from binding. From: Tracts and Other Papers, Relating Principally to the Origins, Settlement, and Progress of the Colonies in North America. Volume I (1836). Here stitched into modern laid paper wrappers. A bright copy with limited toning and foxing to the leaves.

One in a series of publications put out by the Virginia Company to promote immigration to Virginia. Published anonymously it is general understood that it was written by Robert Johnson. The author opens his dedicatory preface explaining that he intends to clear the name of Virginia of its ill-deserved reputation noting: "there is no common speech nor publicke name of any thiug this day, (except it be the name of God) which is more vildly depraved, traduced and derided by such unhallowed lips, then the name of Virginea" p. 4. In three parts, Johnson describes the organization, "The first I nothing else but a briefe relating of things alreadie done and past: The second of the persent estate of the businesse: And the third doth tend as a premonition to the planters and adventurers for the time to come" p. 5. First editions of this tract are extremely scarce in the trade. Clark I, 104; Church 355; Sabin 53249.

Price: $60.00