Some Fruits of Solitude: in Reflections and Maxims Relating to the Conduct of Human Life. The Second Edition.

London: Printed for Thomas Northcott, 1693. Full Description:

[PENN, William]. Some Fruits of Solitude, in Reflections and Maxims Relating to the Conduct of Human Life. The Second Edition. London: Printed for Thomas Northcott, 1693.

Second edition, expanded, printed the same year as the first edition. Author is attributed to Penn by Wing. Twelvemo (5 x 2 3/4 inches; 125 x 72 mm). [16], 136, [1, errata], [1, blank] pp. With 467 "Reflections" and "Maxims", one more than in the first edition. We could find no copies at auction of this or the first edition since 1974.

Bound in a beautiful hand-crafted binding, rebacked with a calf spine. Front board with image of an angel, on-laid over gold cloth and surrounded by a gold border. Patterned endpapers. Some minor rubbing and chipping to boards. Leaf A1, [License page] is remargined on all sides, not affecting text, and with previous owner's old ink signature and an article clipping on blank recto. Title-page with title lightly underlined in red pencil. Blank verso of title with previous owner's old ink inscription, dated 1695, with ink slightly showing through to recto of title-page. A few leaves with small tears to blank fore-edge, leaf with the tear neatly repaired, not affecting text. Final leaf [errata] with repairs at inner margin. Previous owner's old ink signature dated 1723 on blank verso. Overall a very good copy in a beautiful binding.

William Penn was an English Quaker leader and advocate of religious freedom, who oversaw the founding of the American Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a refuge for Quakers and other religious minorities of Europe.

"Originally published in 1693, this profound volume of wise sayings was written by William Penn when the focus of the day was on observing moral principles for daily living... The vital collection of serene reflections were the product of Penn's life, faith, and Quaker heritage; one that would later involve his own suffering in prison and eventual poverty in living out his faith. The reader is challenged to apply these maxims to his or her own life, as well as to ponder deeply his or her significant place and purpose in God's world. Many of the principles and concepts that helped form a young American republic 50 years after Penn's death were inspired by his own revolutionary leadership of the lands of Pennsylvania." (New Leaf Publishing Group, Inc.).

ESTC R39085. Wing P1369.

HBS 68741.

$2,750.