73 résultats
1788125980New 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 which "exerted a powerful influence in procuring the adoption of the Federal Constitution." 12 mo two volumes bound in one bound in full contemporary calf rebacked preserving most of original gilt-ruled spine with red morocco label. In very good condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional example of this landmark book. When Alexander Hamilton invited his fellow New Yorker John Jay and James Madison a Virginian to join him in writing the series of essays published as The Federalist it was to meet the immediate need of convincing the reluctant New York State electorate of the necessity of ratifying the newly proposed Constitution of the United States. The 85 essays under the pseudonym 'Publius' were designed as political propaganda not as a treatise of political philosophy. In spite of this The Federalist survives as one of the new nation's most important contributions to the theory of government" PMM 234. The Federalist "exerted a powerful influence in procuring the adoption of the Federal Constitution not only in New York but in the other states. There is probably no work in so small a compass that contains so much valuable political information. The true principles of a republican form of government are here unfolded with great clearness and simplicity" Church 1230. "A generation passed before it was recognized that these essays by the principal author of the Constitution and its brilliant advocate were the most authoritative interpretation of the Constitution as drafted by the Convention of 1787. As a commentary and exposition of the Constitution the influence of the Federalist has been profound" Grolier American 100 56. Of the only 500 copies published Hamilton is said to have sent nearly 50 copies to Virginia for the ratifying convention. The remaining 450 copies sold poorly and "the publishers complained in October 1788 long after New York had ratified the Constitution that they still had several hundred unsold copies" Maggs 815. Printed and Sold by J. and A. McLean unknown books
1781125872April 10 1781. Exceptionally rare autograph letter signed by George Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army to French ally Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur comte de Rochambeau whose military assistance in the Siege of Yorktown essentially ended the Revolutionary War. The body of the letter is entirely in the hand of Alexander Hamilton and dated 10 April 1781. In the spring of 1781 officials from Massachusetts approached Rochambeau with a proposal to attack the British post at the mouth of the Penobscot river which had been established in June 1779 to secure timber for shipyards in Halifax and to protect Nova Scotia from any American advance. On April 6 Rochambeau informed Washington that he was willing to send a detachment of troops and that Admiral Destouches would offer naval assistance but observing that he was under Washington's command he would await his approval before approving the action Rochambeau to Washington 6 April 1781 Papers of George Washington Library of Congress. Washington here responds offering his gratitude that Destouches who had only recently lost a naval engagement with the British in an unsuccessful attempt to relieve Lafayette in Virginia would be willing "to undertake the expedition to Penobscot and to you for your readiness to furnish a detachment of troops for the same purpose. The object is certainly worth attention and if it can be effected will be very agreeable to the States particularly to those of the East." He trusts that Destouches "can best judge from the situation of the enemy's fleet how far it may be attempted with prudence and Your Excellency from the information you have recently received what number of troops will be sufficient for the enterprise--I am persuaded it will be calculated how far it is probable the enemy may follow with a part of their fleet--whether the post can be carried by a coup de main or may require so much time as to make it likely the operation will be interrupted before its conclusion--in case of a superior squadron being sent by the enemy what possibility there is of protection or a safe retreat for the ships and even for the land force through an unsettled country in which numbers perished for want of provision in a former attempt--All these are points too important not to have been well weighed and your conversations with the Massachusetts deputies will have been able to enlighten you upon them." Here he is referencing the unsuccessful attempt by Massachusetts in 1779 to destroy the post abandoned when British ships with reinforcements forced an arduous overland retreat by the Americans. Despite his assurances that <span class="match">Rochambeau</span> and Destouches had matters well in hand <span class="match">Washington</span> took the "liberty to remark on two things--one that it appears to me frigates without any ships of the line will answer the purpose as well as with them and less will be risked than by dividing the body of the fleet. Frigates especially the forty fours will afford a safe escort to the troops against any thing now in those Seas and with respect to a detachment from the enemy's fleet it would be always proportioned to the force we should send and if we have two sixty fours they would even be an object for their whole fleet. The other observation I would make is that dispatch being essential to success it will in my opinion be adviseable not to depend on any cooperation of the Militia but to send at once such a force from your army as you deem completely adequate to a speedy reduction of the post. The country in the neighbourhood of Penobscot is too thinly inhabited to afford any resource of Militia there and to assemble and convey them from remote places would announce your design--retard your operations and give leisure to the enemy to counteract you. Indeed I would recommend for the sake of secrecy to conceal your determination from the State itself." On 15 April <span class="match">Rochambeau</span> replied to <span class="match">Washington</span> observing that while he had sufficient troops to spare "your Excellency's observations upon the Separation of our fleet and upon the danger to be interrupted by superior forces during the course of the Expedition which Mr Destouches does not Look on as possible to be undertaken with his frigates only are the motives which cause this project to be Laid aside for the present moment." <span class="match">Rochambeau</span> to <span class="match">Washington</span> 15 April 1781 Papers of George <span class="match">Washington</span> Library of Congress. Soon <span class="match">Washington</span> and <span class="match">Rochambeau</span>'s attention returned again to Virginia and within months their combined forces would be closing in on Yorktown. In near fine condition. Exceptionally rare and desirable being the only communication between the storied commanders of the Yorktown campaign to appear at auction in more than a century. In 1780 French nobleman Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur comte de Rochambeau was appointed commander of land forces as part of the project code named Expedition Particuliere. He was given the rank of Lieutenant General in command of some 7000 French troops and sent to join the Continental Army under George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. He landed at Newport Rhode Island on 10 July but was held there inactive for a year due to his reluctance to abandon the French fleet blockaded by the British in Narragansett Bay. The College in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations now known as Brown University served as an encampment site for some of Rochambeau's troops and the College Edifice was converted into a military hospital now known as University Hall.3 In July 1781 the force left Rhode Island and marched across Connecticut to join Washington on the Hudson River in Mount Kisco New York. Washington and Rochambeau then marched their combined forces to the siege of Yorktown and the Battle of the Chesapeake. On 22 September they combined with the Marquis de Lafayette's troops and forced heavily outnumbered and trapped Lord Cornwallis to surrender on 19 October. The siege of Yorktown was a decisive victory for the American Continental Army and proved to be the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War in the North American region as the surrender by Cornwallis and the capture of both him and his army prompted the British government to negotiate an end to the conflict and ultimately resulted in the Treaty of Paris of 1783. unknown books
1792125388Philadelphia: 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 main priorities of the federal government in the early national period was to pay down the debt of the United States. The national debt was incurred during the Revolution and augmented in 1790 when the Congress passed the Assumption Act in accordance with a plan devised by Alexander Hamilton. Because contacting the numerous and geographically dispersed holders of the debt proved more difficult than expected it became necessary to extend the time allowed by law for making the relevant financial arrangements. The present act accomplished this and made a special extension of five months for Vermont which gave the new state time to calculate the amount of debt. Despite Jefferson's vehement opposition to Hamilton's plan when it was formulated his position as Secretary of State necessitated his signature on the presentation copies of the acts that effected it. In fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco folding case. Scarce with only one other example signed by Jefferson located. American Founding Father Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and later served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809. Prior to his presidency he was elected the second Vice President of the United States serving under John Adams from 1797 to 1801. A proponent of democracy republicanism and individual rights motivating American colonists to break from Great Britain and form a new nation he produced formative documents and decisions at both the state and national level. Jefferson was an avid bibliophile and by the end of his life had amassed a large library and wine collection. Childs & Swaine unknown books
17831253841783-1956. Elaborately bound collection of Presidential autographs containing the autograph of each of the first 34 Presidents of the United States from George Washington to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Quarto bound in full red morocco by Riviere & Son with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands gilt presidential seal to the front panel with white and blue morocco onlays gilt arms and motto of George Washington to the rear panel with white and blue morocco onlays and his gilt signature in facsimile centerpieces within quintuple gilt ruling with star emblems at each corner blue morocco doublures with multiple gilt presidential signatures blue silk endpapers. This complete series of autographs of the first 34 Presidents of the United States contains the signature of each mounted on an album leaf opposite a loosely tissue-guarded engraved portrait of each. The collection includes: the signature of George Washington on an envelope addressed to Major General Knox as Secretary <span class="match">of</span> <span class="match">the</span> Society <span class="match">of</span> <span class="match">the</span> Cincinnati November 3 1783; a clipped signature of John Adams; clipped signature of Thomas Jefferson; the signature of James Madison on an envelope addressed to Reverend Frederick Freeman of Manayunk Pennsylvania; and inscription signed by James Monroe; the signature of John Quincy Adams on an envelope addressed to William Plumer jun. Esq. in Epping New Hampshire; a partially printed land grant signed by Andrew Jackson dated 1831 registering <span class="match">the</span> purchase <span class="match">of</span> 20 acres in Detroit by Peter Aldrich; clipped signature of Martin Van Buren; clipped signature of William Henry Harrison; signed inscription from John Tyler; signed inscription from James Polk; clipped signature of Zachary Taylor dated Baton Rouge March 5 1841; clipped signature of Millard Fillmore; clipped signature of Franklin Pierce; clipped signature of James Buchanan on a document dated July 18 1858; clipped signature of Abraham Lincoln; endorsement signed by Andrew Johnson as President; clipped signature of Ulysses S. Grant; card signed by Ru<span class="match">the</span>rford B. Hayes; inscription signed by James Garfield; large card signed by Chester A. Arthur and dated May 22 1884; autograph noted signed by Grover Cleveland declining an invitation dated November 16 1890; an Executive Mansion card signed by William McKinely; clipped signature of <span class="match">The</span>odore Roosevelt; clipped signature of William Howard Taft; clipped signature of Woodrow Wilson; typed letter signed by Warren G. Harding as President dated June 4 1923 on White House letterhead; card signed by Calvin Coolidge; White House card signed by Herbert Hoover; typed letter signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt as Assistant Secretary <span class="match">of</span> <span class="match">the</span> Navy February 15 1917. Laid in is a typed letter signed by Harry S. Truman as President June 30 1950 on White House stationery and a typed letter signed by Dwight Eisenhower. TLS as President November 13 1956 on White House stationery. In fine condition. Housed in a custom folding chemise and half morocco slipcase. An exceptional collection and presentation. unknown books
1787106800New 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 the original calf over original boards with six raised bands edges speckled red. In very good condition. An exceptional example. On November 8 1787 the New York Journal began to advertise a new pamphlet entitled 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. This pamphlet contained the first five Federal Farmer letters dated October 8 to 13. The first edition was replete with errors and a second corrected printing appeared within a week. Among the Federalists Alexander Hamilton as Publius Edward Carrington and Noah Webster acknowledged the Federal Farmer as in Hamilton's words the "most plausible" Anti-Federalist. Only one Federalist Timothy Pickering took the time to develop a complete critical response to the Federal Farmer. Though this was not published during the course of the constitutional debates it survives in a personal letter. Pickering described the Federal Farmer as "a wolfe in sheep's cloathing" and too focused on a misplaced fear of aristocracy. The work has been attributed to Richard Henry Lee a presiding officer of the Continental Congress writing under the pseudonym 'Federal Farmer'. Through these the first five letters the Federal Farmer argues that the plan of the Constitution while claimed to be a federal system and seeming to be so in some respects will in the end annihilate the states by consolidating them into one national government. This concern over consolidation was among the most important of the Anti-Federalist objections to the Constitution; they saw the destruction of state sovereignty as inimical to freedom. Honest federalists in the view of the Federal Farmer wished for the substantial preservation of the state governments but sought a federal government that was more than merely advisory. The letters indicate that the Federal Farmer ascribed to the compact theory of federalism. The Federal Farmer letters are among the best-written and convincing pieces in the Anti-Federalist canon and make regular appearances in collections of Anti-Federalist writing. "Though sometimes discursive and repetitious the letters skillfully written moderate in tone and thoughtful were perhaps the most eloquent and persuasive anti-federalist writings" Ketcham 256. hardcover books
177696237J. Almon J.S. Jordan and J. Stockdale: London 1776-1793. Finely bound collection of the works of Thomas Paine including the rare first British editions of Common Sense and Plain Truth London: J. Almon 1776 second editions of Rights of Man Parts I & II London: J.S. Jordan 1791-1792 complete with half-titles present and a rare early printing of John Quincy Adams' response to Paine's Rights of Man London: J. Stockdale 1793 attributed to his father John Adams and written when John Quincy Adams was 26 years old. Octavo bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine red morocco spine label all edges speckled black. In near fine condition. A rare and desirable collection. One of the founding fathers of the United States Thomas Paine authored two of the most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution which ultimately inspired the 1776 Declaration of Independence. Virtually every American rebel read Paine's powerful pamphlet Common Sense which crystallized the American Revolution and demand for independence from Britain. John Adams asserted "without the pen of the author of Common Sense the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain." London hardcover books
1776106523Philadelphia: Printed and sold by R. Bell in Third-Street 1776. Scarce 1776 separate edition of the Large Additions to Common Sense. The title reads in full: Large Additions To Common Sense: Addressed To The Inhabitants Of America On The Following Interesting Subjects. I. The American Patriot's Prayer. II. American Independancy defended by Candidus. III. The Propriety of Independancy by Demophilus The dread of Tyrants and the sole resource Of those that under grim Oppression groan. Thomson. IV. A Review of the American Contest with some Strictures on the King's Speech. Addressed to All Parents in the Thirteen United Colonies by a Friend To Posterity And Mankind. V. Letter to Lord Dartmouth by an English American. VI. Observations on Lord North's Conciliatory Plan by Sincerus. To Which Is Added And Given An Appendix to Common Sense; Together with an Address to the People Called Quakers on their Testimony concerning Kings and Government and the Present Commotions in America. Octavo bound in three quarters morocco over boards gilt titles and five raised bands to the spine marbled endpapers. In very good condition internally very clean. Rare with only two examples appearing at auction in the last 80 years. One of the founding fathers of the United States Thomas Paine authored two of the most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution which ultimately inspired the 1776 Declaration of Independence. Virtually every American rebel read Paine's powerful pamphlet Common Sense which crystallized the American Revolution and demand for independence from Britain. John Adams asserted "without the pen of the author of Common Sense the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain." The 1776 Large Additions lends insight into the fascinating publishing history of the most important and popular tract of the American Revolution. After the publication of the first edition of Common Sense by Bell in 1776 in a small edition of 1000 copies Paine was greatly disappointed when Bell advised him there were no profits. He had intended to donate the proceeds to the causes of liberty and independence. Paine and Bell 44 had an immediate falling out and Paine subsequently hired Bradford to print a competing edition. This naturally infuriated Bell who included an attack on the still anonymous author in his next printing. The controversy between Bell and Paine played out in the press over the next several weeks and in no small part helped further ignite the popularity and widespread dissemination of Common Sense. Bell tried to compete against Bradford with a second unauthorized edition and gathered these additions to differentiate his work for the purpose of marketing. Nevertheless Bell could not easily compete since Paine refused to copyright the work and granted free permission for anyone to reprint it. Howes P22 states that "Paine was not the author of these Additions; they were gathered from various sources by Bell to make his edition 3 times larger than the enlarged edition issued at Philadelphia by Bradford to whom Paine had turned after his estrangement from Bell. Some copies were issued separately - and paged" as in the present example " . to permit their being bound with the first and second editions of Common Sense. Printed and sold, by R. Bell in Third-Street hardcover books
1794125183Philadelphia: 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 it 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 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 edition traced at auction in the last 75 years. Susana Rowson's best-selling novel Charlotte Temple relates the tale of 15-year-old English schoolgirl Charlotte Temple who is lured away from her prestigious boarding school by British army officer John Montraville. While en route to New York Montraville seduces Charlotte who he swiftly abandons upon arrival to his post and after a downward spiral into remorse illness poverty and the birth of a child she dies. Seduction novels were popular in the 18th century and the widely read Charlotte Temple went through more than 200 editions. Rowson a committed republican used the success of the novel to protest the sexual double standard that ruined the lives of women like Charlotte. Later in life she wrote a sequel that was published posthumously. Printed by D. Humphreys for M. Carey hardcover books
1769125438London: Printed for David Henry and sold by Francis Newbery 1769. First complete edition of "the most important scientific book of 18th-century America" and "America's first great scientific contribution" PMM. Octavo bound in full contemporary calf with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands red morocco spine label lettered in gilt double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels. With the rarely found half-title. Advertisement & errata leaf bound in following the preface. Illustrated with 7 copper-engraved plates 4 of which are folding. This the fourth first complete and most desirable edition of Franklin's important work contains for the first time complete notes on all of the experiments as well as correspondence between Peter Collinson Franklin and several other collaborators. The earlier editions each issued in three parts as separately published pamphlets usually bound together were carelessly published. Franklin edited this new one-volume edition himself significantly revising the text adding for the first time a number of his own philosophical letters and papers introducing footnotes correcting errors and adding an index Cohen Benjamin Franklin's Experiments. In near fine condition. Expertly rebacked. Housed in a custom full morocco clamshell box. Franklin's most important scientific publication" Experiments and Observations contains detailed accounts of the founding father's crucial kite and key experiment his work with Leiden jars lightning rods and charged clouds Norman 830. "The most dramatic result of Franklin's researches was the proof that lightning is really an electrical phenomenon. Others had made such a suggestion before him-- even Newton himself-- but it was he who provided the experimental proof" PMM. "The lightning experiments caused Franklin's name to become known throughout Europe to the public at large and not merely to men of science. Joseph Priestley in his History of Electricity characterized the experimental discovery that the lightning discharge is an electrical phenomenon as 'the greatest perhaps since the time of Isaac Newton. Franklin's achievement. marked the coming of age of electrical science and the full acceptance of the new field of specialization" DSB. Printed for David Henry and sold by Francis Newbery hardcover books
1769116750London: Printed for David Henry and sold by Francis Newbery 1769. First complete edition of "the most important scientific book of 18th-century America" and "America's first great scientific contribution" PMM. Octavo bound in contemporary half calf over marbled boards morocco spine label. Advertisement & errata leaf inserted following preface. Illustrated with 7 copper-engraved plates 2 of which are folding. In very good condition. First editions are rare exceptionally so in a contemporary binding. Franklin's most important scientific publication" Experiments and Observations contains detailed accounts of the founding father's crucial kite and key experiment his work with Leiden jars lightning rods and charged clouds Norman 830. "The most dramatic result of Franklin's researches was the proof that lightning is really an electrical phenomenon. Others had made such a suggestion before him-- even Newton himself-- but it was he who provided the experimental proof" PMM. "The lightning experiments caused Franklin's name to become known throughout Europe to the public at large and not merely to men of science. Joseph Priestley in his History of Electricity characterized the experimental discovery that the lightning discharge is an electrical phenomenon as 'the greatest perhaps since the time of Isaac Newton. Franklin's achievement. marked the coming of age of electrical science and the full acceptance of the new field of specialization" DSB. Printed for David Henry and sold by Francis Newbery hardcover books
179752680Philadelphia: John Bioren for John Fenno 1797. Rare first edition of one of the major causes celebres 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 <span class="match">Hamilton</span> family in an effort to suppress it but was ultimately reprinted in 1800 by <span class="match">Hamilton</span>'s political enemies. Housed in a custom half calf clamshell box. Alexander Hamilton resigned as Secretary of the Treasury in 1795; two years later "a baseless accusation against his honesty as secretary of the treasury brought by Monroe and others forced him to make public confession of his intrigue some years previous with a Mrs. Reynolds . his confession had the merit of a proud bravery for it showed him willing to endure any personal humiliation rather than a slur on his public integrity" DAB. Mrs. Hamilton tried to buy up all copies of the 1797 pamphlet but some escaped. In 1800 in the midst of the Jefferson-burr election anti-Federalists such as William Duane reprinted Hamilton's admission of infidelity. John Bioren for John Fenno unknown books
1787125345London: 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 <span class="glossaryQtip qTip">mispaginated</span> "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 ownership inscriptions. Text and plates very clean. Rare. Intended by the publisher as a companion volume to the Experiments and Observations on Electricity 1769 and his Political Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces 1779 Franklin's Philosophical and Miscellaneous Papers contains a selection of important political essays including his Remarks concerning the Savages in North America 1784 The letter from Dr. B. Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan. of Privateering 1785 and Information to those who would remove to America 1784 which is "one of the clearest expressions of his belief that American society should be based on the virtues of the middle. classes" Isaacson 423. Also highly notable is Internal State of America his sharply optimistic postwar reply to "complaints of hard times in the American press. with an equally sharp consciousness of British propaganda" Crane William and Mary Quarterly XV:2 218. This volume additionally contains three major scientific writings: Description of a New Stove for the burning of Pitcoal 1785 Letter from Dr. B. Franklin to Dr. Ingenhausz On the Causes and Cure of Smoky Chimneys 1785 and Letter from Dr. Benjamin Franklin. containing sundry Maritime Observations 1785. Merging his political and scientific interests Franklin used Maritime's study of the sea and Gulf Stream to "proclaim the virtues of his nation and its people." This inspired others to also "think of the Gulf Stream in political terms. In 1790 Thomas Paine declared the French Revolution 'as fixed as the Gulf Stream' and Jonathan Williams claimed the current's waters were as distinct as 'the colors of red white and blue'" Chaplin 320-25. Printed for C. Dilly, in the Poultry unknown books
1787125308Philadelphia: Printed for Hall and Sellers; J. Cruikshank; and Young and McCulloch 1787. First edition of John Adams's greatest contribution to American political theory; from the library of one of the 39 signers of the United States Constitution Founding Father Gunning Bedford Jr. Octavo bound in full contemporary tree calf with gilt ruling to the spine red morocco spine label lettered in gilt gilt turn-ins. Signed by Gunning Bedford Jr. on the title page. Born in Philadelphia in 1747 Gunning Bedford attended the College of New Jersey where he was a classmate of James Madison and later served in the Continental Army as an aide to General George Washington. After the Revolutionary war he became a prominent political figure sitting in the legislature on the state council and in the Continental Congress 1783-85. One of the more active members of the Constitutional Convention on May 14 1787 he was one of the 39 delegates that signed the Constitution of the United States. Gunning Bedford also served as Attorney General of Delaware from 1784 until he was designated by George Washington as a federal district judge for his state in 1789 a position he held for the rest of his life. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise case. An exceptional example with fine provenance. Adams wrote this work on constitutional theory while serving as Minister to the Court of St. James as a response to liberal French statesman Turgot who had criticized the new American state constitutions for their conservative economic framework. Adams's Defence was often cited in the debates of the Constitutional Convention. "A work marked by insight breadth of views conviction courage and--we may venture to add--much wisdom" Larned Literature of American History 2287. At the start of 1787 while minister to Great Britain and a year before he returned to America John Adams "felt an urgency like that of 1776. Great events were taking place at home. Support for a stronger central government was gaining ground. A constitutional convention was in the offing and as he had been impelled in 1776 to write his Thoughts on Government so Adams plunged ahead. books piled about him his pen scratching away until all hours. By early January 1787 Adams had rushed the first installment of his effort to a London printer. Titled A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America. copies were sent off at once to the United States and to Jefferson in Paris" McCullough John Adams 374. Of the Defence Thomas Jefferson wrote to Adams "I have read your book with infinite satisfaction and improvement. It will do great good in America. Its learning and its good sense will I hope make it an institute for our politicians old as well as young" Sowerby 3004. "From Philadelphia where the Constitutional Convention had assembled Benjamin Rush a member of the Convention wrote that the Defence had 'diffused such excellent principles among us that there is little doubt of our adopting a vigorous and compound federal legislature. To a considerable extent Adams' Defence was an expanded more erudite rendition of the case for checks and balances in government that he had championed in his Thoughts on Government 1776 and later put into operation in his draft of the Massachusetts constitution" McCullough 375. "The work did much to familiarize the European mind to the novel state of things then taking place in America" Sabin 236. This volume was issued as a stand-alone work and was followed by two supplemental volumes the following year Sabin 234. Printed for Hall and Sellers; J. Cruikshank; and Young and McCulloch unknown books
1786104062Philadelphia: 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. "Another time that tried men's souls occurred in 1780 when the American troops were at the end of their patience because of lack of pay and scarcity of supplies. Serious features of mutiny and sedition had already appeared. A tone of discouragement swept through the Pennsylvania Assembly for the treasury was empty. One member said 'We might as well give up first as last.' But Paine did not agree and when he drew his meager salary he took $500 and started a subscription for the relief of soldiers. Robert Morris and many others followed and by June 18 1780 had raised 300000 pounds and started a bank which supplied the army through the campaign.When the bank came under attack by those who favored inflation after the war Paine rushed to its defense with this pamphlet."Gimbel 45. In very good condition with the title page backed with some restoration period ownership signature stamp to the verso of page 53 notations throughout. Printed by Charles Cist hardcover books
1769125709London: Printed by His Majesty's Law Printers 1769. Alexander Hamilton's copy of the tenth volume of Lucas's Modern Reports. Folio bound in one quarter contemporary calf over paper-covered boards. Signed by Alexander Hamilton and his son Philip Hamilton on the title page. In very good condition. Housed in a custom cloth chemise and half morocco slipcase. Rare and desirable books from Hamilton's library seldom appear on the market. The first treasury secretary of the United States and one of America's founding fathers Alexander Hamilton founded the nation's financial system the Federalist Party the United States Coast Guard and the New York Post newspaper. He was the main author of the economic policies of George Washington's administration and as Secretary of the Treasury established a national bank system of tariffs and trade relations with Great Britain. After the American Revolutionary War Hamilton resigned his seat in the Congress of the Confederation to practice law which he returned to in 1795 and was active in ending the legality of the international slave trade. Printed by His Majesty's Law Printers hardcover books
1784101412Philadelphia May 5th 1784. Rare autograph document signed by George Washington as President of the Society of the Cincinnati during the first general meeting of the Society and 5 years prior to his election and inauguration as the first President of the United States of America. One page partially printed on vellum with engraved vignettes by Auguste L. Belle after Jean-Jacques <span class="match">And</span>re LeVeau depicting America in knight's armor trampling upon the British st<span class="match">and</span>ard <span class="match">and</span> the American eagle casting the British lion <span class="match">and</span> Britannia out to sea with thunderbolts engraved seal of the Order of the Cincinnati. The document reads: Be it known that Lieutenant William Andrews is a member of the society of the Cincinnati instituted by the Officers of the American Army at the Period of Dissolution as well to commemorate the great Event which gave Independence to North American as for the laudable Purpose of inculcating the Duty of laying down in Peace Arms assumed for public Defence and of uniting in Acts of brotherly Affection and Bonds of perpetual Friendship the Members constituting the same. In Testimony whereof I the President of the said Society have hereunto set my hand at Philadelphia in Pennsylvania this fifth day of may in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Four and in the Eighth Year of the Independence of the United States. By Order " "H.<span class="match">Knox</span>" Secretary "G. Wahsington" President. William <span class="match">And</span>rews was commissioned a lieutenant on 1 January 1777 with the Third Continental Artillery. His regiment wintered at Valley Forge <span class="match">and</span>the following June <span class="match">And</span>rews was captured <span class="match">and</span> held by the British in New York until he was exchanged in September 1781. In fine condition. Double matted and framed with an engraved portrait of Washington. The entire piece measures 36 inches by 23 inches. An exceptional example. Conceived of by Henry Knox in an effort to establish a fraternal organization for all officers who had served in the American War for Independence The Society of the Cincinnati was founded in early May 1783 at the headquarters of General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben at Verplanck House in Fishkill New York. The three guiding principles of the organization were: First "An incessant attention to preserve inviolate those exalted rights and liberties of human nature for which they have fought and bled. ." Second "An unalterable determination to promote and cherish between the respective States that union and national honor so essentially necessary to their happiness and the future dignity of the American empire." And third "To render permanent the cordial affection subsisting among the officers. This spirit will dictate brotherly kindness in all things and particularly extend to the most substantial acts of beneficence according to the ability of the Society towards those officers and their families who unfortunately may be under the necessity of receiving it." The concept of using Cincinnatus as an emblem of the Order was particularly resonant with Americans since the life of this mid-fifth century Roman nobleman and farmer closely paralleled that of many who had served with George Washington in the vanguard. Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus was called upon to repel two hostile tribes that threatened Rome. He issued his orders which were efficiently carried out and vanquished the enemy. Although elected a dictator for six months and voted a triumph by the Senate Cincinnatus stepped down just after fifteen days and returned to private life on his farm. Similarly at the conclusion of hostilities Washington returned to his plantation at Mount Vernon. hardcover books
177691322Philadelphia: Robert Bell 1776. Exceptionally rare edition of the first surgical work by an American and printed in North America. Octavo bound in nineteenth century three quarters morocco over marbled boards gilt titles and tooling to the spine frontispiece. Jones' work was the accepted guide to surgical practice during the American Revolutionary War" G&M 2155; Austin 1843; Evans 15100 and 14814; Sabin 94063 and 36524. In near fine condition. Although Jones was born in America and brought up in a family of medical doctors he was trained as a surgeon in France by some of the leading physicians in the world including Percivall Pott one of the founders of the study of orthopedics. His doctoral thesis On the Observation of Wounds would later develop into this seminal surgical text and the very first treatise on surgery to be printed in North America. Jones was also integral in establishing the medical school that would later become Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons where he was appointed as the very first professor of surgery in the Americas. Robert Bell hardcover books
178750010London: Printed for C. Dilly 1787. First edition of John Adams' landmark work. Octavo original boards minor wear. In very good condition. Housed in a custom half calf clamshell box. Rare especially in the original boards. Adams wrote this work on constitutional theory while serving as Minister to the Court of St. James. It was a response to the liberal French statesman Turgot who had criticized the new American state constitutions for their conservative economic framework. Adams's Defence was often cited in the debates of the Constitutional Convention. "A work marked by insight breadth of views conviction courage and--we may venture to add--much wisdom"--Larned Literature of American History 2287. This volume was issued as a stand-alone work and was followed by two supplemental volumes the next year. Howes A60 "aa" Sabin 234 Printed for C. Dilly hardcover books
1779125035London: Printed for J. Johnson 1779. First edition of "the only edition of Franklin's writings other than his scientific printed during his lifetime" Ford. Octavo bound half diced calf over marbled boards with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. With the engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin three engraved plates one folding and folding table of the reformed alphabet. In near fine condition. Complete with index addenda and corrigenda. An exceptional example. "The only edition of Franklin's writings other than his scientific which was printed during his lifetime; was done with Franklin's knowledge and consent and contains an 'errata' made by him for it" Ford 342. Edited by his close friend Benjamin Vaughan and published in London while Franklin was serving as America's ambassador this seminal collection contains many of his writings on the rebellious American colonies and incendiary British measures such as the Stamp Act. Of particular interest is The Examination of Dr. Benjamin Franklin 255-301 a record of his 1766 appearance before Parliament. In Franklin's answers to the over 150 questions posed him in an afternoon of "highly charged testimony he would turn himself into the foremost spokesman for the American cause" Isaacson. Printed for J. Johnson hardcover books
1771125360Boston: Printed by Edes and Gill by the Order of the Town of Boston 1771. First edition of the first <span class="match">Boston</span> <span class="match">Massacre</span> oration; a classic of the Revolutionary period. Octavo bound in three quarter morocco morocco spine label lettered in gilt. In near fine condition. American Antiquarian Society stamp to the half-title page. Rare. On March 5 1770 British Captain Preston and eight British soldiers brought to trial on the charge of murdering five Bostonians that evening were defended by young lawyer John Adams later Vice-President and President of the United States assisted by Josiah Quincy Jr. This unpopular defense Adams rightly regarded as "one of the most gallant generous manly and disinterested actions of his whole life." In observance of the first anniversary of the tragedy though not until April 2 1771 was delivered the first of a series of annual patriotic speeches known as "the Boston Massacre Orations." These speeches were contemporaneously printed. John Adams later wrote: "These orations were read I had almost said by everybody that could read and scarcely ever with dry eyes. They have now been continued for forty-five years. Adams counted in the annual Fourth of July Orations which began in Boston in 1783. Will you read them all They were not long continued in their original design; but other gentlemen with other views had influence enough to obtain a change from 'standing armies' to 'feelings which produced the Revolution'. Of these forty-five orations I have read as many as I have seen. They have varied with all the changes of our politics. They have been made the engine of bringing forward to public notice young gentlemen of promising genius whose connections and sentiments were tolerable to the prevailing opinions of the moment." Lovell a Boston schoolmaster was one of the staunchest of the local patriots. After the Battle of Bunker Hill he was arrested by the British for spying and was sent a prisoner to Halifax. Following his exchange he became a member of the Continental Congress 1777 where he was a supporter of Gates and one of the harshest critics of Washington. How active a part he played in the Conway Cabal against Washington is not known but he certainly approved it. Printed by Edes and Gill, by the Order of the Town of Boston unknown books
179499225London: Printed for the Author and Sold by J. Murray et al 1794. First edition wide-margined copy of Stedman's massive contemporary two-volume History of the American Revolution-- "the standard work on the subject" --containing 15 military maps and plans 11 folding the largest nearly 20 by 30 inches. Two volumes handsomely bound in contemporary calf green morocco labels half-titles to both volumes. In very good condition rebacked laying down the original backstrips. Rare and desirable with the half-title pages. Philadelphia-born military historian Charles Stedman was a Loyalist who served "with the British at Lexington and Bunker Hill later became commissary to the army of Sir William Howe and was with Cornwallis in the South" New International Encyclopedia 21:485. Taken prisoner by American forces he was sentenced to be hanged as a rebel but escaped. At war's end Stedman moved to England where he authored this authoritative two-volume History--"considered the best contemporary account of the Revolution from the British side" Sabin 91057. As "the standard work on the subject" Stedman's History especially benefits from eyewitness accounts of many campaigns DNB. In addition "the military maps and surveys in the History are of great interest and value" Allibone 2231. Here Stedman argues that Britain's defeat was largely due to the failure of its politicians and ministers and "the military genius of Britain was unimpaired; she rose with elastic force under every blow." Ultimately he concludes that the American Revolution "came as a surprise to the world. no invading army in the present enlightened period can be successful in a country where the people are tolerably united" 449. These two volumes feature folding strategic plans of the Battle of Bunker Hill attacks on Forts Clinton and Montgomery and the Sieges of Charleston Savannah and Yorktown along with maps of Long Island and the Catawba River. Printed for the Author and Sold by J. Murray, et al unknown books
1779125950London: Printed for J. Johnson 1779. First edition of "the only edition of Franklin's writings other than his scientific printed during his lifetime" Ford. Octavo bound in three quarters leather gilt titles to the spine raised bands. With the engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin three engraved plates one folding and folding table of the reformed alphabet. In near fine condition. Complete with index addenda and corrigenda. A very nice example. "The only edition of Franklin's writings other than his scientific which was printed during his lifetime; was done with Franklin's knowledge and consent and contains an 'errata' made by him for it" Ford 342. Edited by his close friend Benjamin Vaughan and published in London while Franklin was serving as America's ambassador this seminal collection contains many of his writings on the rebellious American colonies and incendiary British measures such as the Stamp Act. Of particular interest is The Examination of Dr. Benjamin Franklin 255-301 a record of his 1766 appearance before Parliament. In Franklin's answers to the over 150 questions posed him in an afternoon of "highly charged testimony he would turn himself into the foremost spokesman for the American cause" Isaacson. Printed for J. Johnson hardcover books
176728878London: Mark Baskett . and by the assigns of Robert Baskett 1767. Large paper copy measuring nearly 5 centimeters larger than that cited in Darlow & Moule large 4to 1 volume expanded to 2 unpaginated; sectional title page for the N.T.; contemporary full red goatskin elaborate borders on covers incorporating a Greek key design enclosing lilies with birds and vases with flowers an with a central monogram "MB" on an oval green morocco onlay surrounded by a black morocco onlay tooled with cherubs the whole surrounded by a flame tool smooth spines richly gilt and gilt-lettered direct a.e.g.; minor overall rubbing slight sunning od the spines but generally a very good sound handsome and sumptuous binding. Facing the first leaf in each volume is the following inscription: This Book was presented to me by my Son in Law Coll. Stephen Delancy and at my decease I bequeath it to my beloved grand daughter Miss Phila Delancy as witness my hand Maria Barclay. New York 15 August 1786." The Delancys were a prominent New York loyalist family. Stephen Delancy remained in New York throughout the Revolution but left for Nova Scotia in 1783. Presumably he commissioned these bindings from England at some prior date cf. his mother-in-law's initials on the central onlays. The binder has not been identified but it is similar to a binding described in Maggs catalogue 966 item 154 the onlay decoration being almost identical. Also included beneath the above inscription is a further one dated 1834 from Phila Delancy to her nephew William de Lancey Lawson. Darlow and Moule mention an engraved title page for those on regular paper but no such mention in the Darlow & Moule citation for the L.P. copy nor for that matter in any of the OCLC records. Darlow & Moule 1181. <br/><br/> Mark Baskett ... and by the assigns of Robert Baskett unknown books
17871196771787. Rare document signed by <span class="match">John</span> <span class="match">Hancock</span> Governor of Massachusetts. Boldly signed "J<span class="match">ohn</span> <span class="match">Hancock</span>" on the upper left corner. <span class="match">Hancock</span>'s signature is an exceptional example. Countersigned by Secretary of the Commonwealth <span class="match">John</span> Avery Jr. as "<span class="match">John</span> 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 <span class="match">Hancock</span> 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 & Sons print of <span class="match">Hancock</span> after the original painting by <span class="match">John</span> Singleton Copley with accompanying engraved name plates. Not examined out of the frame. The size of the document is 15.5 inches by 12.5 inches. Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 28.5 inches by 19.75 inches. Rare and desirable. John Hancock was an American merchant statesman and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is remembered for his large and stylish signature on the United States Declaration of Independence so much so that the term "John Hancock" has become in the United States a synonym for a signature. Before the American Revolution Hancock was one of the wealthiest men in the Thirteen Colonies having inherited a profitable mercantile business from his uncle. Hancock began his political career in Boston as a protege of Samuel Adams an influential local politician though the two men later became estranged. As tensions between colonists and Great Britain increased in the 1760s Hancock used his wealth to support the colonial cause. He became very popular in Massachusetts especially after British officials seized his sloop Liberty in 1768 and charged him with smuggling. Although the charges against Hancock were eventually dropped he has often been described as a smuggler in historical accounts but the accuracy of this characterization has been questioned. Hancock was one of Boston's leaders during the crisis that led to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in 1775. He served more than two years in the Continental Congress in Philadelphia and as president of Congress was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. Hancock returned to Massachusetts and was elected governor of the Commonwealth serving in that role for most of his remaining years. He used his influence to ensure that Massachusetts ratified the United States Constitution in 1788. unknown books
1799112450London: 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. "The observations of this distinguished author made during a three years' residence extend to the political constitution of the country the manners etc. of the inhabitants its physical state and natural history. The translator appears to have executed his task faithfully and to be well acquainted with the country described. His notes frequently increase the information and sometimes correct the errors of the original" Sabin. The work became a standard source book for the history of America at the close of the 18th century. An exiled French nobleman the Duke traveled in all the Eastern states in the Great Lakes region and Upper Canada visiting many towns from Maine to Georgia and making the acquaintance of people of all classes. He was especially interested in economics but had much to say about the Indian tribes natural history and social and religious communities Shakers Dunkers etc. For R. Phillips by T. Davison hardcover books
