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First French Edition, Presentation copy of the Constitutions of the Thirteen United States of America; inscribed by Benjamin Franklin who requested the book's publication and personally distributed the 600 privately printed first edition copies
[FRANKLIN, Benjamin].
Constitutions des Treize Etats-Unis De L’Amerique. [Constitutions of the Thirteen United States of America].
Paris: D. Pierres/Pissot, Pere & Fils, Libraries, 1783.
First French edition of the Constitution of the United States of America, inscribed by Founding Father Benjamin Franklin who had the translation published and personally distributed each of the 600 copies produced. Octavo, bound in one quarter calf with gilt ruling to the spine, burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Presentation copy, inscribed by Benjamin Franklin on the front free endpaper, "A Madame, Madame la Presidente de Manieres [sic] de la parte du. B. Franklin." The recipient, Madame Durey de Meinires was a a French writer best known for her translations of Samuel Johnson, David Hume, and Sarah Fielding.…
Price: $175,000.00 Item Number: 138381
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Thomas Day's Reflections Upon the Present Sate of England, and the Independence of America
DAY, Thomas.
Reflections Upon the Present State of England, and the Independence of America.
London: Printed for J. Stockdale, 1783.
Third edition of Day's important treatise on American Independence. Octavo, bound in paper wrappers. In very good condition. Uncommon in this condition.
Price: $975.00 Item Number: 127208
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Rare first edition of George Chalmers' Opinions on Interesting Subjects of Public Law and Commercial Policy; Arising from American Independence
CHALMERS, George.
Opinions on Interesting Subjects of Public Law and Commercial Policy; Arising from American Independence.
London: Printed for J. Debrett, 1784.
First edition of Chalmers' treatise regarding trade regulations between England and America following American Independence. Octavo, bound in paper wrappers. In very good condition. Exceptionally rare.
Price: $1,500.00 Item Number: 127018
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Rare First Edition of Thomas Paine's Dissertations on Government, the Affairs of the Bank, and Paper-Money
PAINE, Thomas.
Dissertations on Government, the Affairs of the Bank, and Paper-Money.
Philadelphia: Printed by Charles Cist, 1786.
First edition of Paine's defense of the Bank of North America. Small octavo, bound in three quarters leather over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine. Rare.
Price: $25,000.00 Item Number: 104062
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“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union... do ordain and establish this CONSTITUTION for the United States of America": Rare first edition of Vol. VII of the Journal of Congress; containing the first official Congressional Journal publication of the proposed Constitution of the United States
Journal of the United States In Congress Assembled: Containing the Proceedings From the Sixth Day of November, 1786, to the Fifth Day of November, 1787. Volume XII.
New York: Published by Order of Congress, 1787.
Rare first edition of Vol. VII of the Journal of Congress; containing the first official Congressional Journal publication of the proposed Constitution of the United States. Octavo, original boards. Contains the first Congressional Journal publications of the proposed United States Constitution (pp. 149-166) and the Northwest Ordinance (pp. 85-93). In very good condition. Small loss to the title page affecting the “L” in “Journal”. A rare and important piece of American history.
Price: $75,000.00 Item Number: 129855
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"One of the best-written and convincing pieces in the Anti-Federalist canon": Rare First Edition of Observations Leading to a Fair Examination of the System of Government from the Federal Farmer to the Republican
[LEE, Richard Henry].
Observations Leading to a Fair Examination of the System of Government, Proposed by the Late Convention; and to Several Essential and Necessary Alterations in it. In a Number of Letters from the Federal Farmer to the Republican.
New York: 1787.
Rare first edition of the definitive and most important work in the Anti-Federalist canon; the antithesis of the The Federalist Papers. Octavo, bound in half calf over boards with six raised bands, edges speckled red. In very good condition. An exceptional example.
Price: $72,000.00 Item Number: 106800
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Rare original Document; Boldly Signed by Founding Father John Hancock
HANCOCK, John.
John Hancock Signed Document.
1787.
Rare document signed by John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts. Boldly signed "John Hancock" on the upper left corner. Hancock's signature is an exceptional example. Countersigned by Secretary of the Commonwealth John Avery, Jr. as "John Avery jun Secy" at center bottom. Featuring a large paper seal showing a gorgeous impression of the Massachusetts state seal in the upper left corner. Massachusetts Governor Hancock appointed one "Joseph Green Gentleman" as "Captain of the thirteenth company, in the second Regiment and in the Ninth Division of the Militia of this Commonwealth comprehending the County of Berkshire." Matted and displayed to the right of a G. Barrie…
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 119677
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rare First Worcester edition of The History of Little Goody Twoshoes
[GOLDSMITH, Oliver].
The History of Little Good Twoshoes; Otherwise Called Mrs. Margery Twoshoes.
Worcester, Massachusetts: Isaiah Thomas, 1787.
First Worcester edition of the famed fable. 16mo, original wrappers, illustrated with 8 engraved plates, terminal advertisements. In very good condition. From the library of noted collector and philanthropist Estelle Doheny with her bookplate to the folding chemise case. Housed in a custom full morocco and folding chemise case.
Price: $8,200.00 Item Number: 133024
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"THE LAST COLLECTION OF FRANKLIN'S WRITINGS TO APPEAR IN HIS LIFETIME": First edition of Benjamin Franklin's Philosophical and Miscellaneous Papers
FRANKLIN, Benjamin.
Philosophical and Miscellaneous Papers. Lately written by B. Franklin, LL. D. Fellow of the Royal Society of London; Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris; President of the American Philosophical Society at Philadelphia.
London: Printed for C. Dilly, in the Poultry, 1787.
First edition of the last collection of Franklin's writings to appear during his lifetime; a major collection of his political, philosophical and scientific writings, a second volume of which was planned but never published. First issue with page 25 mispaginated "52." Octavo, bound in full contemporary tree calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt Greek key ruling to the front and rear panels. With four copper-engraved folding plates including diagrams of the Franklin stove and the earliest published map of the Gulf Stream. In very good condition. Armorial bookplate and early…
Price: $28,000.00 Item Number: 125345
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"THE MOST FAMOUS AND INFLUENTIAL AMERICAN POLITICAL WORK”: EXCEPTIONALLY RARE FIRST EDITION OF THE FEDERALIST
[HAMILTON, Alexander; James Madison; John Jay].
The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, As Agreed Upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787.
New York: Printed and Sold by J. and A. McLean, 1788.
First edition of The Federalist, one of the rarest and most significant books in American political history. 12mo, bound in half calf over marbled boards, raised bands, gilt titles to the spine. In very good condition with light toning to the pages. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell and chemise box. An exceptional example of this cornerstone of Americana.
Price: $250,000.00 Item Number: 143916
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"THESE ARE THE TIMES THAT TRY MEN'S SOULS": First collected edition of Thomas Paine's The American Crisis and a Letter to Sir Guy Carleton
PAINE, Thomas.
The American Crisis, and a Letter to Sir Guy Carleton, on the Murder of Captain Huddy, and the Intended Retaliation on Captain Asgill, of the Guards.
London: Printed and Sold by Daniel Isaac Eaton, 1788.
First collected edition and first edition in book form of the thirteen issues of Paine's legendary call to arms, the first five issues having appeared originally as separate tracts and the last eight issued only in newspapers. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. In near fine condition. Ownership inscriptions. Rare and desirable.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 111055
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FROM THE LIBRARY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON AT MOUNT VERNON: First edition, presentation copy of Elkanah Watson's Tour in Holland; inscribed by him to George Washington
[WATSON, Elkanah] [George Washington].
Tour in Holland in MDCCLXXXIV. By an American.
Printed at Worcester, Massachusetts: Isaiah Thomas, 1790.
First edition, presentation copy of a scarce volume from George Washington's library at Mount Vernon. Octavo, bound in full contemporary sheep with pine gilt in six compartments within raised bands, burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, type-ornament title-page vignette, head and tailpieces. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author to George Washington on the front pastedown, "From the Author to General Washington" and further inscribed on the front free endpaper, "New York, Feb. 1798. Sir, Please to accept this small production which has stole its way into the world. If it can beguile one moment of that anxiety which doubtless pervades your…
Price: $275,000.00 Item Number: 143919
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“THE MOST WIDELY READ OF ALL AMERICAN AUTOBIOGRAPHIES": TRUE FIRST EDITION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY in the scarce original wrappers
FRANKLIN, Benjamin.
Mémoires de la Vie Privée de Benjamin Franklin, Écrits Par Lui-Même, et Adressés à Son Fils, Suivis d’un Précis Historique de Sa Vie Politique, et de Plusieurs Pièces, Relatives à Ce Père de la Liberté. [Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin].
A Paris: Chez Buisson, Libraire, 1791.
True first edition of Franklin’s famed autobiography, which preceded the first English edition by two years, in the scarce original wrappers. Octavo, original wrappers, with the original publisher's paper spine label present. With page 204 misnumbered 360, lacking the three final leaves and rear wrapper. Ownership inscription to the verso of the front wrapper. In very good condition. Exceedingly scarce in the original wrappers.
Price: $6,500.00 Item Number: 124077
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Rare 1791 London edition of Thomas Paine's A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal, on the Affairs of North-America
PAINE, Thomas.
A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal, on the Affairs of North-America. In Which the Mistakes in the Abbes Account of the Revolution of America Are Corrected and Cleared Up.
London: Printed for J. Ridgway, 1791.
1791 London edition of Paine's passionate reply to the Abbe Raynal, preceded by the 1782 Philadelphia and London editions Octavo, bound in half diced calf over marbled boards, all edges speckled red. In very good condition. Bookplate to the pastedown. Ownership name to the title page. Rare.
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 134029
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“THE MOST WIDELY READ OF ALL AMERICAN AUTOBIOGRAPHIES": TRUE FIRST EDITION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY
FRANKLIN, Benjamin.
Mémoires de la Vie Privée de Benjamin Franklin, Écrits Par Lui-Même, et Adressés à Son Fils, Suivis d’un Précis Historique de Sa Vie Politique, et de Plusieurs Pièces, Relatives à Ce Père de la Liberté. [Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin].
Paris: Chez Buisson, Libraire, 1791.
True first edition of the first part of Franklin’s famed autobiography which preceded the first English edition by two years. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with a morocco spine label lettered in gilt, elaborate period gilt tooling to the spine, ribbon bound in. In very good condition. A nice example.
Price: $7,500.00 Item Number: 139755
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Rare First French Edition of Thomas Paine's Rights of Man
PAINE, Thomas.
Droits de L’Homme; En Reponse a L’Attaque de M. Burke Sur La Revolution Francois. [Rights of Man: Part the First Being An Answer to Mr. Burke’s Attach on the French Revolution].
Chez F. Buisson: Paris, 1791.
First French edition of Thomas Paine's classic statement of faith in democracy and egalitarianism. Octavo, bound in contemporary one quarter calf over marbled boards. In very good condition. From the library of Virginia bibliophile and historian Christopher Clark Geest with his bookplate to the pastedown. Rare and desirable.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 96176
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“INDEPENDENCE IS MY HAPPINESS, AND I VIEW THINGS AS THEY ARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO PLACE OR PERSON; MY COUNTRY IS THE WORLD, AND MY RELIGION IS TO DO GOOD": THOMAS PAINE'S RIGHTS OF MAN PART THE FIRST AND PART THE SECOND
PAINE, Thomas.
Rights of Man: Part the First Being An Answer to Mr. Burke’s Attack on the French Revolution [and] Rights of Man: Part the Second. Combining Principle and Practice.
London, Printed: New York: Reprinted For Berry, Rogers, and Berry, No. 35, Hanover Square, 1792-1793.
Early printing of Paine’s Rights of Man Part the First and Part the Second. Octavo, disbound. With the textual error to the date of publication to Part the First reading 1742. The first part of Rights of Man was published in February 1791 by London publisher Johnson, but was immediately suppressed. With difficulty Paine was able to secure another publisher in London, J.S. Jordan. The second part was first published in London by Jordan on February 1792. In near fine condition.
Price: $2,500.00 Item Number: 121460
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“Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good": Finely bound sammelband collection of Paine's Rights of Man Part the First and Part the Second
PAINE, Thomas.
Rights of Man: Part the First Being An Answer to Mr. Burke’s Attack on the French Revolution and Part the Second Combining Principle and Practice.
London and New York: London, Printed: New-York: Reprinted for Berry, Rogers, and Berry, no. 35, Hanover-Square, 1792-1793.
Finely bound sammelband collection of Paine's Rights of Man Part the First and Part the Second. Octavo, elaborately bound in full calf with gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt Greek-key ruling to the panels, gilt turn-ins and topstain, marbled endpapers. With the textual error to the date of publication to Part the First reading 1742. In near fine condition.
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 114494
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The Writings of Thomas Paine; Bound in full Contemporary Calf
PAINE, Thomas.
Writings of Thomas Paine: Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the Congress of the United States of America, in the Late War.
Albany, New York: Charles R. & George Webster, 1792.
Nine of Paine's writings gathered, each pagination with a separate title page. Octavo, bound in contemporary calf. One of at least four issues with variant title pages for this work, this apparently the first, without the addition of "Rights of Man, Part the Second. In very good condition with some light foxing. Rare and desirable.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 81112
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Scarce 1792 printing of An Act to extend the Time limited for settling the Accounts of the United States with the Individual States; signed by Thomas Jefferson
[JEFFERSON, Thomas].
Second Congress of the United States: At the First Session, begun and held at the City of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, on Monday the twenty-fourth of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one. An Act to extend the Time limited for settling the Accounts of the United States with the Individual States.
Philadelphia: Childs & Swaine, 1792.
Scarce printing of an early United States law providing for the funding of the national debt, signed by Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Folio, one page. The document, which also carries the printed signatures of President George Washington, Vice President John Adams, and House Speaker Jonathan Trumbull, was approved January 23, 1792. Individual acts and bills of the first Congresses were routinely printed for public consumption. A provision was made, however, to print a few copies of each act for dissemination to the states, and to have each copy signed by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. One of the…
Price: $82,000.00 Item Number: 125388
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Rare Sundry Estimates and Statements Relative to Appropriations for the Service of the Year 1794
HAMILTON, Alexander.
Sundry Estimates and Statements Relative to Appropriations for the Service of the Year 1794.
1794.
Rare printed Treasury Department report detailing projected expenditures by the federal government for the year 1794. Quarto, 20 pp. Includes reporting on sources of revenue, duties on imports and tonnage, provision for payment of interest on balances due to the individual states, as well as interest on the public debt. Also printed is expenditures for the Civil List for the various branches and departments of the federal government, including the executive, both houses of Congress, the War Department, Indian Department, etc. Finally, printed toward the rear is a list of the revenue and appropriations for 1789-93, the amount of duties…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 132301
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"The first American bestseller": Exceedingly Rare first edition of Susanna Haswell Rowson's Charlotte: A Tale of Truth
ROWSON, Susanna Haswell.
Charlotte. A Tale of Truth.
Philadelphia: Printed by D. Humphreys for M. Carey, 1794.
Exceedingly rare first American edition (and the earliest obtainable example) of the first American bestseller. Octavo, two volumes bound into one in three quarter calf over marbled boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers. Although the first American edition was preceded by the first English edition published in 1791, no examples of the first English edition have been traced at auction. In very good condition. Bookplate of D. Appleton to the pastedown, bibliographic description tipped in. Housed in a custom cloth chemise and half morocco clamshell slipcase. Exceedingly rare with only one other example of the first American…
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 125183
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Scarce second edition of The First Spelling Primer; or an Easy Introduction to the Art of Reading Adorned with Emblematic Pictures
The First Spelling Primer; or an Easy Introduction to the Art of Reading Adorned with Emblematic Pictures.
London-Derry: Published by G. Douglas, 1795.
Second edition of this scarce 18th century spelling primer. 16mo, original limp paper boards, illustrated with twenty-six small text woodcuts illustrating the Prince's Alphabet, followed by an ABC poem, The Alphabet in Rhime, syllables of two and three letters, easy words, easy reading lessons, the Lord's Prayer, and a publisher's advertisement leaf aimed at children mentioning four other titles: The Ladder to Learning; Manson's Spelling Primer; Manson's Spelling Book; and The Universal Spelling Book. In good condition. Ownership name to the front panel. Housed in a custom folding case. Exceptionally rare with no other copies traced in auction records, nor…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 135238
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Rare 1796 London edition of the second part of Paine’s landmark Age of Reason
PAINE, Thomas.
The Age of Reason. Part the Second. Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology.
London: Printed for Daniel Isaac Eaton, 1796.
1796 London edition of the second part of Paine’s landmark Age of Reason—“his great work of this period” (ANB). Preceded by the first edition in English, which Paine had printed in Paris for distribution in America. Octavo, disbound. In very good condition. Rare.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 134066
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Rare first edition of Hamilton's Reply to Wood
HAMILTON, Alexander.
Observations on Certain Documents Contained in No.V & VI of “The History of the United States for the Year 1796,” in which the Charge of Speculation against Alexander Hamilton, Late Secretary of the Treasury, is Fully Refuted.
Philadelphia: John Bioren for John Fenno, 1797.
Rare first edition of one of the major causes célèbres in American governmental history. Octavo, bound in contemporary morocco, marbled endpapers. In near fine condition. This first edition of 1797 is rare as it was bought up by the Hamilton family in an effort to suppress it, but was ultimately reprinted in 1800 by Hamilton’s political enemies. Housed in a custom half calf clamshell box.
Price: $32,000.00 Item Number: 52680
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Rare Second English edition of Thomas Paine's Letter to George Washington
PAINE, Thomas.
Letter From Thomas Paine to George Washington, President of the United States of America.
London: Printed for H. D. Symonds, 1797.
Rare second English edition of Paine's bitter letter to Washington written during his imprisonment in Paris, issued the same year as the first English edition. Octavo. In near fine condition. Ownership initials to the front panel.
Price: $6,500.00 Item Number: 134033
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Samuel Johnson Pratt's Family Secrets; from the library of President George Washington; with a small note in his hand tipped in
PRATT, Samuel Johnson. [George Washington].
Family Secrets: By Mr. Pratt. Volume III. [From the Library of George Washington].
London: Printed for T.N. Longman, Paternoster-Row, 1798.
Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with a burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine. Vol. III of the original five volumes. Tipped in to the pastedown is a small clipped note in the hand of George Washington which reads, "with the said" and the bookplate of Benjamin Lincoln Lear. The set in which this volume originated was listed in a manuscript by Washington's private secretary Tobias Lear titled 'Catalogue of Books received from Washington' and bears the bookplate of Lear's son Benjamin Lincoln Lear. Tobias Lear served as Washington's personal secretary from 1784 until…
Price: $30,000.00 Item Number: 139518
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"AN ORIGINAL SOURCE OF THE FIRST CLASS": LA ROCHEFOUCAULT-LIANCOURT'S TRAVELS THROUGH THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA, SCARCE 1799 FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH, WITH THREE MAPS OF AMERICA—A BEAUTIFUL COPY
LA ROCHEFOUCAULT-LIANCOURT, [Francois Alexandre].
Travels Through the United States of North America, the Country of the Iroquois, and Upper Canada, in the Years 1795, 1796, and 1797; With an Authentic Account of Lower Canada.
London: For R. Phillips by T. Davison, 1799.
First edition in English of "an original source of the first class for American history at the close of the 18th century" (Larned). Quarto, bound in full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, gilt tooling to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, with three engraved folding maps of North America and six folding tables. In near fine condition. An exceptional example of this landmark work. First editions are rare.
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 112450
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Rare autograph letter signed by and entirely in the hand of American Founding Father John Jay as Governor of New York to Theophilus Parsons
JAY, John.
John Jay Autograph Letter Signed.
1800.
Rare autograph letter signed by and entirely in the hand of American Founding Father John Jay as Governor of New York to Theophilus Parsons. One page, folded, the letter reads in full, "Albany, 1 July 1800 Sir, On my return from New York on Friday last, your obliging letter of the 5th of May, which arrived during my absence was delivered to me. I am much gratified by the Information it contains & thank you for it as serious apprehensions were entertained that anti-federalism had gained considerable ground in Massachusetts; but I am happy to find... that appearances do not…
Price: $6,500.00 Item Number: 117791
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"THE FIRST AMERICAN BESTSELLER": RARE EARLY AMERICAN PRINTING OF SUSANNA HASWELL ROWSON'S The History of Charlotte Temple
ROWSON, Susanna Haswell.
The History of Charlotte Temple. Founded on Fact.
Hartford: Printed by John Babcock, 1801.
Early American printing of the first American bestseller, first published in 1794. 16mo, bound in one quarter contemporary leather over paper-covered boards. In good condition. Period ownership inscription, "Mary More Her Book Bought in the year 1802 Price 2/0 If this Book you Chance to Borrow and it should get lost it would fill my heart with Sorrow And you must pay the Cost." Exceptionally rare and desirable.
Price: $7,500.00 Item Number: 138507
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"The earliest known book on chess printed in America": Rare First Edition of Chess Made Easy. New and Comprehensive Rules for Playing the Game of Chess
FRANKLIN, Dr. Benjamin.
Chess Made Easy. New and Comprehensive Rules for Playing the Game of Chess.
Philadelphia: James Humphrey, 1802.
First edition of the earliest known book on chess printed in America. 32mo,bound in half leather over marbled boards, illustrated with engraved frontispiece. In very good condition with some rubbing to the extremities, frontispiece repaired, title-page repaired and dampstained. An exceptional rarity, with only one example appearing at auction in the last 75 years.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 126090
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[HAMILTON, Alexander].
The Speeches at Full Length of Mr. Van Ness, Mr. Caines, The Attorney-General, Mr. Harrison, and General Hamilton, in the Great Cause of the People, Against Harry Croswell, on an Indictment of Libel on Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States.
New York: Printed by G. & R. Waite, No. 64 Maiden-Lane, 1804.
First edition of this landmark case in the history of the First Amendment. Octavo, disbound. In very good condition. Rare with only a handful appearing in auction records.
Price: $1,750.00 Item Number: 142963
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FIRST EDITION OF JOHN MARSHALL’S LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, WITH THE SCARCE ATLAS VOLUME
MARSHALL, John. [George Washington].
The Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Forces, During the War Which Established the Independence of His Country, and First President of the United States. [WITH] The Life of George Washington: Maps and Subscriber’s Names.
Philadelphia: C.P. Wayne, 1804-1807.
First edition, first issue of the first biography of George Washington with the scarce atlas volume and list of subscribers. Octavo, six volumes, bound in full contemporary tree calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, tissue-guarded engraved frontispiece portrait of Washington to volume I. With the scarce atlas volume which is bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards and contains 10 engraved maps, 9 folding, and the 22-page list of subscribers. In very good condition. A rare and complete set in an attractive contemporary binding.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 131234
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First edition of the second book on architecture published in America: Owen Biddle's The Young Carpenter's Assistant
BIDDLE, Owen.
The Young Carpenter’s Assistant; Or, A System Of Architecture, Adapted To The Style Of Building In The United States.
Philadelphia: Benjamin Johnson, 1805.
First edition of the second book on architecture published in America, second only to Asher Benjamin's Country Builder's Assistant' published in 1797( Shaw & Shoemaker, 8018). Quarto, bound in full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, illustrated with 44 engraved plates, 2 folding. In very good condition. Scarce with only 2 copies having appeared at auction in the past 50 years.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 117672
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"The longest letter signed and entirely in the hand of John Adams obtainable": Exceptionally rare 16-page autograph letter signed by Founding Father John Adams defending the ultimate necessity of American sovereignty
ADAMS, John.
John Adams Autograph Letter Signed.
1809.
Exceptionally rare 16-page autograph letter signed by and entirely in the hand of Founding Father John Adams defending the ultimate necessity of American sovereignty and its precedence over international alliances. Sixteen pages, entirely in the hand of John Adams and written on both the recto and verso of each page, the letter is dated January 9, 1809 and addressed to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Joseph Bradley Varnum. Although France and America shared a strong alliance which proved crucial to winning the Revolutionary War, at the onset of the French Revolution in 1789, Washington's fear that American involvement would…
Price: $125,000.00 Item Number: 121560
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Rare First Edition of The History of Printing in America; Signed by Thomas’s grandson, Benjamin Franklin Thomas
THOMAS, Isaiah.
The History of Printing in America.
Worcester: Isaiah Thomas, 1810.
First edition of this work by the famed printer. Octavo, bound in contemporary sheep, morocco spine labels, illustrated with five engraved plates (four folding). Gift inscription of Thomas's grandson, Benjamin Franklin Thomas, on each of the front free endpapers, as well as his signature on title page in first volume. Benjamin Franklin Thomas was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts and an associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. In good condition. Housed in a custom half morocco chemise and clamshell box. Grolier American 29; Howes T 168; Sabin 95495; Streeter 7:4176.
Price: $4,000.00 Item Number: 133261
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First Edition of The Proceedings of the Government of the United States in Maintaining the Public Right to the Beach of the Missisipi
JEFFERSON, Thomas.
The Proceedings of the Government of the United States in Maintaining the Public Right to the Beach of the Missisipi [sic], adjacent to New-Orleans, against the Intrusion of Edward Livingston.
New York: Ezra Sergeant, 1812.
First edition, one of only 250 copies printed for Jefferson to distribute to senators, congressman and other political figures. Octavo, original wrappers, frontispiece map. Some wear to the wrappers, light dampstaining. Housed in a custom half calf clamshell box. Exceptionally rare.
Price: $12,000.00 Item Number: 84930
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FIRST MAGAZINE APPEARANCE OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER
KEY, Francis Scott.
“The Defence of Fort M’Henry” appearing in The Analectic Magazine, Volume IV.
Philadelphia: Moses Thomas, 1814.
First magazine appearance of Francis Scott Key's Star Spangled Banner. Octavo, bound in contemporary three quarters morocco over marbled boards. Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort M'henry at the Battle of Baltimore, during which the large American flag continued to wave over the American victory. On the heels of the American disgrace at Bladensburg, and the burning of Washington, the defense of Fort M'Henry breathed new life into the American cause. Key's song was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1931. In very good condition.
Price: $1,600.00 Item Number: 143093
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First edition of The Infantry Exercise of the United States Army
POTTER, P.
The Infantry Exercise of the United States Army, Abridged For the Use of the Militia of the United States.
Poughkeepsie: P. & S. Potter, Printers, 1817.
First edition of this classic work of military instruction. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, illustrated with 13 plates. From the library of Ensign Edmond Hopkins of Penn. Service 1813 to 1821 with his ownership inscription. Accompanied by three Civil War era covers and an autograph letter signed dated March 23rd 1864 to James Judson Hall, 28th Regt. Wis. Vols., Co. C, Cairo, IL. Hall, a resident of Oconomowoc, WI, mustered into the 28th Wisconsin Volunteers in August 1862 and mustered out in Brownsville, TX in late August 1865 from E.L. Kellogg. In very…
Price: $2,500.00 Item Number: 132610