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 ableContinue reading "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."

Paine, Thomas

Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America.

London : Printed and Sold By All the Booksellers, 1792.

Rare early printing of Thomas Paine’s landmark work. Duodecimo, bound in half-calf over cloth boards with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments within tooled bands, morocco spine label, all edges stained red. In near fine condition with some light toning to the text.

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.

[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 actsContinue reading "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."

Paine, Thomas

Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Burke’s Attack on the French Revolution.

London : Printed for the Booksellers, 1792.

Scarce early collected edition of Paine’s classic work. Duodecimo, two parts bound in one volume, contemporary three-quarter calf over marbled boards. In very good condition with rubbing to the extremities, spine, front and rear panels. First printed in London by Joseph Johnson in March, 1791, publication was quickly taken over by J.S. Jordan, who publishedContinue reading "Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Burke’s Attack on the French Revolution."

Cooke, William. [Alexander Hamilton]

The Bankrupt Laws.

London : Printed for E. and R. Brooke, Bell-Yard, near Temple-Bar, 1793.

Third edition of this important late-eighteenth-century legal treatise from the library of Alexander Hamilton, signed twice by him and additionally by his eldest son Philip Hamilton. Octavo, bound in full calf with stamping to the spine and panels in blind. Signed by Alexander Hamilton on the title page, “A. Hamilton” and again on the finalContinue reading "The Bankrupt Laws."

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 theContinue reading "Charlotte. A Tale of Truth."

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 forContinue reading "Sundry Estimates and Statements Relative to Appropriations for the Service of the Year 1794."

Franklin, Benjamin

The Way to Wealth or Poor Richard Improved.

Paris : Printed for Ant. Aug. Renouard, 1795.

The rare Renouard‘s bi-lingual edition of Franklin’s popular aphorisms, first published as the preface to the Poor Richard‘s Almanac. “The prettiest edition yet printed” (Ford, Franklin 135). Sabin 25596. 12mo, bound in full contemporary calf, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine, gilt turn-ins, engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin by A. Tardieu after Duplessis. This elegant ParisianContinue reading "The Way to Wealth or Poor Richard Improved."

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 childrenContinue reading "The First Spelling Primer; or an Easy Introduction to the Art of Reading Adorned with Emblematic Pictures."

Watson, Richard

An Apology for the Bible; In a Series of Letters, Addressed to Thomas Paine, Author of a book entitled The Age of Reason, Part the Second, Being and Investigation of True and of Fabulous Theology.

Philadelphia : Printed for W. Young, Mills & Son, 1796.

Rare early printing of this response to Thomas Paine’s ‘The Age of Reason.’ Duodecimo, original full leather with gilt titles and ruling to the spine. In very good condition with rubbing to the extremities, front panel, and spine, some toning throughout, a small loss to the front flyleaf, and bookplates to the front free endpaperContinue reading "An Apology for the Bible; In a Series of Letters, Addressed to Thomas Paine, Author of a book entitled The Age of Reason, Part the Second, Being and Investigation of True and of Fabulous Theology."

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.

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. HousedContinue reading "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."

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.Continue reading "Family Secrets: By Mr. Pratt. Volume III. [From the Library of George Washington]."

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 myContinue reading "The History of Charlotte Temple. Founded on Fact."

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.

Hamilton, Alexander. [James Kent]

The Examination of the President’s Message at the Opening of Congress December 7, 1801.

Printed and Published at the Office of the New York Evening Post : New York, 1802.

First separate edition of Hamilton’s analysis of Jefferson’s first Annual Message to Congress which first appeared in the Evening Post, under the signature of Lucius Crassus. Howes H112. Octavo, bound in quarter morocco. Association copy, from the library of American jurist James Kent with his ownership signature to the title page. American jurist, New YorkContinue reading "The Examination of the President’s Message at the Opening of Congress December 7, 1801."

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 atlasContinue reading "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."

[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.

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 JanuaryContinue reading "John Adams Autograph Letter Signed."

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 aContinue reading "The History of Printing in America."

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.

Paine, Thomas

Dissertations on Government, the Affairs of the Bank, and Paper Money.

London : Printed by W.T. Sherwin , 1817.

First British edition of Paine’s defense of the Bank of North America. Small octavo, bound in modern wrappers. In near fine condition with light toning to the extremities.

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 datedContinue reading "The Infantry Exercise of the United States Army, Abridged For the Use of the Militia of the United States."