1795 John Wesley Memorial Elegy Pamphlet Amos Taylor Keene NH Methodist History For Sale

Title: 1795 An Elegy on the Death of the Reverend John Wesley by Elhanan Winchester – Rare Amos Taylor Imprint (Keene, NH)

Item Overview:

Up for sale is a genuinely rare piece of early American religious ephemera and 18th-century printing history. This is an original 1795 printing of Elhanan Winchester's poetic tribute, "An Elegy on the Death of the Reverend John Wesley."

This specific edition was published and sold by the famous early New England itinerant book peddler and author-publisher, Amos Taylor, in Keene, New Hampshire. It features a highly desirable and historically significant printing "Advertisement" leaf signed by Amos Taylor on the final page, detailing his subscription-based book model and his procurement of texts under the "sanction of methodist Bishops."

Historical Importance:

Printed just four years after the death of Methodist founder John Wesley, this multi-page pamphlet acts as a contemporary testament to the explosive growth of early Methodism in post-Revolutionary America. The text explicitly references the work of co-laborer Charles Wesley and rival revivalist George Whitefield, as well as documenting John Wesley's 13 transatlantic voyages to preach across Europe and America.

Condition Report (Please Read Carefully Before offerding):

This 230+ year-old document is in fragile, antiquarian condition and is being sold AS-IS. Please review all high-resolution photos to assess the condition:

• Missing Wrappers: The original outer paper wrappers are missing. The title page acts as the exposed front cover, and the advertisement page acts as the back cover.

• Edge wear: There is heavy, severe chipping, fraying, and browning along the outer margins of the pages, though the vast majority of the text remains perfectly legible.

• Paper State: The rag paper shows significant age-toning, foxing (spotting), and historical handling stains.

• Binding: The original spine stitching is heavily worn and loose; pages must be turned with extreme care.

• Publisher/Peddler: Amos Taylor

• Location of Printing: Keene, New Hampshire

• Year: 1795

• Subject: John Wesley / Early American Methodism / 18th-Century Poetry

Please review photos carefully for item condition and description