[HUME, Sophia (1702-1774).] An Exhortation to the Inhabitants of the Province of South Carolina, to bring their Deeds to the light of Christ, in their own consciences. Philadelphia: William Bradford, [1747].

Probable first edition of the first work of firebrand Quaker preacher Sophia Hume, possibly a family copy. Hume was the granddaughter of the famous Quaker missionary Mary Fisher, who was one of the first Quakers to visit the Puritan colonies in North America. Raised Anglican in Charleston, South Carolina, Sophia moved to England and re-converted to Quakerism after her husband's death and her own health crisis, which she came to believe had been a warning from God about her decadent lifestyle. In the late 1740s, she returned to America to deliver a series of fiery speeches at Quaker meetings. This edition is undated; there was another edition printed that year by Benjamin Franklin, and Evans lists an identical edition with the attributed date 1748. This copy includes a presentation inscription from someone named A. Hume, perhaps a relative of Sophia (one of her sons was named Alexander). Sabin 33780; Evans 5974.

Octavo (184 x 116mm). 159pp. (browned; final 2 leaves repaired at gutter, in one case with some loss of text). Contemporary boards (rebacked, worn at edges); custom box. Provenance: "A. Hume to Sophia Lane" (early inscription on title) – sold Christie's, New York, 3 December 2010, lot 78.