The Universal Museum — November 1763

Original Georgian British Magazine with Folding State Lottery Engraving

An original November 1763 issue of The Universal Museum, offering a varied selection of colonial American news, literature, political commentary, overseas reports, and practical information. Disbound from a larger bound volume of monthly issues and surviving in pamphlet form.

Cover features an ornamental opening headpiece, decorative initials, double-column typography.

Contains a early and desirable folding engraving of the state lottery drawing at London’s Guildhall.

Of particular interest is the “American News” report of the September 14, 1763 attack on a British convoy and its reinforcements near Niagara, now known as the Battle of Devil’s Hole. Published just two months after the event, the account relates the ambush, the arrival of troops under Lieutenants Campbell and Frazer, and the heavy losses that followed. A printed return lists British personnel killed and wounded, including men of the Royal Artillery, Royal Americans, light infantry, and New York and New Jersey provincial units.

This report belongs to the turbulent period of Pontiac’s War, when Indigenous resistance challenged British control in the Great Lakes and Ohio country following the French and Indian War. Additional reporting discusses Sir William Johnson’s negotiations with the Six Nations and other Indigenous communities, alongside references to Detroit, Niagara, Oswego, and Montreal. These pages preserve the information reaching British readers as events unfolded across the North American frontier.

The folding plate is captioned “The Representation of the Drawing of the State-Lottery at Guildhall, 1763.” It depicts two large lottery drums flanking a raised platform, officials seated behind a long table, attendants handling the drawing, and a crowd of spectators in Georgian dress. An engaging scene of eighteenth-century London public life, with details of costume, ceremony, and the machinery of the lottery.

The issue opens with “The Life of William Shakespeare,” recounting his Stratford background, marriage, early circumstances, and theatrical career. Its inclusion provides a view of Shakespeare’s reputation and the biographical traditions circulating almost two centuries after his birth.

Other contents include:

* “An Account of the Natives of Canada and Louisiana, with their Manners, Customs, &c.”, discussing clothing, body decoration, and tattooing through a period European perspective.

* “New History of the late War,” describing British operations against the French Caribbean islands, particularly Martinique.

* “Manner of chusing Kings, &c. in Poland,” discussing the elective monarchy following the recent death of the Polish king.

* “The Absurdity of Duelling exposed,” challenging the relationship between violence, reputation, and personal honor.

* An account of the inhabitants of the East Indies.

* Instructions for cultivating and preparing madder, an important source of red textile dye.

* Poetry, epigrams, riddles, and foreign news.

A varied original publication connecting colonial America, Georgian London, Shakespeare, European politics, and eighteenth-century social and economic life.

Condition: Disbound as typically encountered, various pages loose and detached. Age toning, scattered foxing and spotting, light soiling, and occasional edge wear and creasing. The folding engraving remains clean, shows light toning and normal light handling wear. Printed text and engraved detail remain clear in the photographed examples. Please examine the photographs for condition.

Offered as one November 1763 monthly issue, with the folding lottery engraving shown as well as the portrait plate.

book measures c. 6 1/2” H x 4” W.

B16127