Cool Thoughts on the Present Situation of Our Public Affairs.

Rare first edition of Franklin’s influential pamphlet arguing for the replacement of Pennsylvania’s proprietary government by direct royal rule. Octavo, bound in full red morocco, the spine lettered in gilt, with a woodcut device to the title and ornamental head- and tailpieces. Published anonymously in 1764, Cool Thoughts sets out Franklin’s case that the Assembly should petition the Crown to take the government of Pennsylvania out of the hands of the Penn family proprietors, whose governor he accused of obstructing the elected Assembly, and it first appeared as a supplement to William Bradford’s Pennsylvania Journal on 25 April 1764. From the collection of renowned Americana collector Jay Snider with his small bookplate to the pastedown. In near fine, with scattered foxing, lacking the half-title. Evans 9663; Ford 270; Howes F-318; Sabin 25496. A landmark of Franklin’s Pennsylvania political writings, most rare with only a handful of examples appearing at auction in the last 60 years.