![]() ![]() The very name of the imaginary compiler of his almanac Franklin borrowed from an actual astrologer and almanac-maker of seventeenth-century England. ![]() It was advertised in the Gazette on December 19, 1732, as “just published.” 6Įighteenth-century almanacs followed a common pattern, and the new publication displayed originality in no essential feature-not even in its title, which was probably suggested by Poor Robin’s Almanack, which James Franklin printed at Newport or in its title-page, which was hardly distinguishable from John Jerman’s. ![]() In these circumstances Franklin hastily compiled the first Poor Richard’s Almanack. In 1732, however, both Godfrey and Jerman took their copy to Bradford, who now prepared to issue five almanacs for 1733, leaving Franklin with none. Entering this crowded, competitive field, the partners the next year issued Thomas Godfrey’s Pennsylvania Almanack for 1730 and in the fall of 1730 Franklin added to his line John Jerman’s American Almanack, formerly printed by Bradford. Andrew Bradford was printing four and Samuel Keimer one, when Franklin and Meredith opened the New Printing-Office in 1728. A successful almanac was a valuable source of income to a provincial printer. ![]()
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