The Lottery Magazine, Including a Rare and Early Map of New York City Showing the "Jew's Synagogue," and One of the Earliest Known Printings in England of the American Declaration of Independence, London: July-October, 1776; June-October 1777

Text of The Declaration of Independence in The Lottery Magazine; or, Compleat Fund of Literary, Political and Commercial Knowledge. For August, 1776 (London: Printed for Johnson and Co., July 1776): pp. 83–85. The August 1776 issue bound in a volume with an engraved general title-page for Volume 1 of The Lottery Magazine and the issues for July, September, and October 1776 and June–October 1777.

8vo (8 3/8 x 4 7/8 in.; 213 x 124 mm). Engraved maps and plans (some folding), portraits, and plates, extra-illustrated with the insertion of 6 original engraved and accomplished lottery tickets; very occasional light spotting, final two leaves trimmed at fore-edge not affecting text. Lacking pp. 513-520 of October 1777. Near-contemporary vellum over boards, later red morocco spine labels; soiled, hinges cracked.

Regarding the printing of the Declaration, Sabin 42153 (speculating, probably incorrectly, that this was the very first English printing); not in Matyas, A Checklist of Books, Pamphlets, and Periodicals, Printing the U.S. Declaration of Independence, 1776–1825

8vo (8 3/8 x 4 7/8 in.; 213 x 124 mm). Engraved maps and plans (some folding), portraits, and plates, extra-illustrated with the insertion of 6 original engraved and accomplished lottery tickets; very occasional light spotting, final two leaves trimmed at fore-edge not affecting text. Near-contemporary vellum over boards, later red morocco spine labels; soiled, hinges cracked.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The English obsession with the State-run lotteries in the eighteenth century led to the publication for two years of The Lottery magazine, or, Compleat fund of literary, political and commercial knowledge. The subscribers were entitled to fractional shares in tickets for the official State Lottery (six of these original engraved and accomplished lottery tickets are included in the present volume.) The magazine also provided a "monthly repository of politics, literature, and useful entertainment. Each number also incorporated a section on the important news of the day, "Foreign and Domestic Intelligence, list of marriages, deaths, bankrupts, etc." 

In addition to an early and very scarce English printing of the Declaration of Independence, there is a unique Judaic connection which may be found in what is almost certainly the first map of New York to be published since the founding of the United States the previous month. Among the landmarks and Christian houses of worship denoted on the "Plan of the City of New York" may be found also, the Jews' Synagogue.

The little synagogue on Mill Street was consecrated on the seventh day of Passover, April 8, 1730. It was the first structure designed and built to be a synagogue in continental North America and was the home to Congregation Shearith Israel, today known as the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue.