The Constitutions of the Several Independent States of America; The Declaration of Independence; the Articles of Confederation between the Said States; and the Treaties between his Most Christian Majesty and the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Charles Thompson, Benjamin Franklin, US Congress, et al; (Robert Purviance) - 1783

Dublin: Messrs. Gilbert, Price, Walker, White, Beatty, Byrne and Cash, 1783. First Irish edition. Hardcover. Good. 1783, the First Irish Edition of the United States Constitution in book form, reprinted from the London edition which was done from the original Philadelphia edition. Hardcover, 8vo., contemporary full calf with faded leather title label on spine. 264 pp. The text is complete, but this copy is missing all endpapers (ie, the first page present is the title page and the last page present is the last page of text). Otherwise a Good, solid copy; hinges cracked, but holding; scuffing to the boards; light browning throughout and a few small stains. This copy has 2 interesting bits of provenance: ink note on the title page by The Collector of Baltimore, Robert Purviance, indicating that he received the book from a W. William Yourey(?) of Ireland in 1785. Additionally, signature of W. H. Halliburton of DeWitt, Arkansas, in purple pencil on the front pastedown and last page of text. Purviance was a minor governmental figure in Baltimore who has a recorded correspondence with Alexander Hamilton regarding the enforcement of laws in Baltimore. During the Civil War Halliburton, who was likely born in the 1810's, was appointed chief collector of the Confederate States war tax for Arkansas. A rare book, with fascinating provenance including two taxmen, one for the fledgling United States, and the other for the Confederacy. HOWES C716.