THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE AND HISTORICAL CHRONICLE. VOLUME XLV FOR THE YEAR M.DCCLXXV. by URBAN, SYLVANUS, GENT. (pseudonym of EDWARD CAVE editor and publisher).:

London, D. Henry, 1775.. COMPLETE YEAR, JANUARY-DECEMBER 1775. This volume contains many articles, documents and correspondence pertaining to the struggle for American Independence including in the August issue a very early English printing of America's Declaration on the Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms - the prelude to the Declaration of Independence - and very probably the first English magazine publication of America's Olive Branch Petition. 8vo, approximately 215 x 130 mm, 8 x 5 inches, 12 issues bound together, plus the Supplement, each month with its own title page with a woodcut of St. John's Gate at the top, 5 of 7 maps, LACKING THE PLAN OF BOSTON AND THE MAP OF THE COUNTRY ROUND BOSTON, the 5 present are folding road maps of England and Wales, 7 engraved plates, 1 of which not called for in the Directions to the Binder, but mentioned in the facing text: "Dr Johnson's Introduction to a Highland Hut", printed in double columns, pages (iv) - general title page and preface, 639, (14) - index, bound in modern quarter calf, marbled sides, raised bands, blind rules and blind motif in compartments, gilt lettered red morocco label, new endpapers. Some lower margins trimmed, partial loss of bottom line on 1 column (page 18), loss of 1 line of notes (page 175), very occasional pale spot, faint blind library stamp on general title page and on edge of plates, light ink library stamp on top and bottom edges, otherwise contents clean, binding tight and firm. A very good copy, lacking 2 maps as noted. The Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms appears in the August issue, preceding by 1 month its printing in the London Magazine. There are also reports of battles at Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill (with sketch map in text) and Ticonderoga, and genuine COPY of the PETITION from the American General Congress to his Majesty, Philadelphia, Oct. 26.1774; and lots of headings "ACCOUNT of the PROCEEDINGS of the AMERICAN COLONISTS, since the passing of the Boston Port-Bill" Sabin 15522 & 26954. Edward Cave (1691 – 1754) launched The Gentleman's Magazine in 1731 creating the first general-interest "magazine" in the modern sense. It became the most influential and most imitated periodical of its time. MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING, ALL ZOOMABLE, FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST.