Kearsley, George (d. 1790) Kearsly's [sic ] Gentleman and Tradesman's Pocket Ledge, for the Year 1776

Description:

Kearsley, George (d. 1790)Kearsly's [sic] Gentleman and Tradesman's Pocket Ledge, for the Year 1776. London: for Kearsly, [1776].
Octavo, 192 pages, clean interior with contemporary notes throughout, in its original, tattered limp sheepskin binding with flap, most likely red originally, now faded to tan, with holes in leather from worming, leather released from boards, endleaves loose, but clean; with inscriptions in the hand of John Carne (1732-1798) of Nash Manor, in Wales, just south of Newport, in Monmouthshire; with repeated use of his "J. Carne" stamp, "Carne" inscribed on the edges of the leaves at the top, and "Nash" at the foot, 6 1/4 x 4 in.
Carne includes detailed information throughout about this pocket book, which includes a calendar, and pages for account-keeping. He makes notes of his travels, expenses in running in the manor, family news, and other items of interest, including a note on Friday, December 13, 1776, "This day appointed a Fast on account of the troubles in America," and a note on the ffep regarding his wife. He has recorded his own weight (183 pounds),the weight of his daughter Nelly (46 pounds, aged seven),and his wife Jenny's weight (149 pounds),which is highlighted with an asterisk and the following note, "N.B.: Jenny Carne is increased since Feb. 1775-- 34 pounds." Kearsleys are rare, in all editions mentioned in ESTC, only one copy of one edition is found in a U.S. library. Codrington Library has the complete run, other U.K. holdings are spotty.
Estimate $300-500


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