Political, Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces;: arranged under the following heads... Now first collected, with explanatory plates, notes and an index to the whole.
by FRANKLIN, Benjamin
- Used
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
London, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: printed for J. Johnson,, 1779. The scarcer and more desirable quarto impression First edition, primary impression in quarto, of the only lifetime collection of Franklin's writings aside from scientific works, many of the papers herein being attributed for the first time. The edition was afterwards re-impressed in octavo format, in which form the book is generally encountered; this initial quarto form is naturally much more desirable and is scarcer in commerce. The collection was edited by Franklin's close friend, the British diplomat and political reformer Benjamin Vaughan, with Franklin's approval and assistance (Franklin contributes a seven-page "Addenda and Corrigenda"). Vaughan was to be a vital voice of reason during the peace negotiations in Paris which ended the American Revolutionary War, mediating between Franklin and Lord Shelburne, for whom he acted as a confidential adviser and private secretary. To judge from contemporary reviews, the book met with a favourable reaction from the British audience despite the ongoing war. Franklin's scientific papers were published in collected editions in the 1750s; some scientific papers are also included here. Quarto (231 x 175 mm). Contemporary half calf, red morocco label and gilt monogram to spine, marbled sides. Housed in a brown quarter morocco solander box by the Chelsea Bindery. Portrait frontispiece and 3 other plates, one of them folding, folding table. Neat ownership initials "W.S.H" to title page, matching gilt spine monogram. Joints and extremities neatly restored. Sporadic light foxing, light browning at head of first few leaves, tiny hole grazing a couple of letters to leaf M3, in all other respects an excellent, crisp copy. Adams 79-38a; ESTC T58635; Howes F330; Sabin 25565.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Peter Harrington (GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 158463
- Title
- Political, Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces;
- Author
- FRANKLIN, Benjamin
- Book Condition
- Used
- Place of Publication
- London: printed for J. Johnson,
- Date Published
- 1779
Terms of Sale
Peter Harrington
All major credit cards are accepted. Both UK pounds and US dollars (exchange rate to be agreed) accepted. Books may be returned within 14 days of receipt for any reason, please notify first of returned goods.
About the Seller
Peter Harrington
Biblio member since 2006
London
About Peter Harrington
Since its establishment, Peter Harrington has specialised in sourcing, selling and buying the finest quality original first editions, signed, rare and antiquarian books, fine bindings and library sets. Peter Harrington first began selling rare books from the Chelsea Antiques Market on London's King's Road. For the past twenty years the business has been run by Pom Harrington, Peter's son.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Quarto
- The term quarto is used to describe a page or book size. A printed sheet is made with four pages of text on each side, and the...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Octavo
- Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
- Leaves
- Very generally, "leaves" refers to the pages of a book, as in the common phrase, "loose-leaf pages." A leaf is a single sheet...
- Crisp
- A term often used to indicate a book's new-like condition. Indicates that the hinges are not loosened. A book described as crisp...
- Title Page
- A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
- Morocco
- Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...
- Calf
- Calf or calf hide is a common form of leather binding. Calf binding is naturally a light brown but there are ways to treat the...