Page 71 - Swann Galleries - Printed & Manuscript Americana - Sale 2310 - April 16, 2013

INCLUDING DOCUMENTS SIGNED BY FRANKLIN AND JEFFERSON
145 ● (FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN.) Parton, James. Life and Times of Benjamin
Franklin, extra-illustrated. 571 plates and inserted illustrations, 4 manuscripts. 2 volumes
in 4. Royal 8vo, early 20th century full morocco gilt by Riviere & Son, minor wear, back-
strips sunned; occasional offsetting from tissue guards; extra-illustrated by Goodspeed of
Boston, uncut except for gilt tops.
Published New York, 1865; compiled with items dated circa 1752-1905 [6,000/9,000]
Second edition on large paper, one of only 100 printed. This set is handsomely bound and
extra-illustrated with 571 engravings and plates dating back to the mid-18th century, all
relating directly to the text.
The set also includes two valuable Documents Signed. In the front of Volume I is a deposition
regarding the bankruptcy of Henry Witmer of Lampeter, PA, signed by Franklin as president of
the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, 26 June 1787. Volume II features Thomas
Jefferson’s signature as secretary of state on a printed Congressional act thanking the National
Assembly of France for their memorial tribute to Franklin, 2 March 1791. Also included are a
letter and signature of the book’s author James Parton.
The illustrations include a 1778 mezzotint portrait of Franklin by Haid, a 1768 portrait of
Joseph Sewall by Hurd, “An East View of Montreal” by Bowles, and much more. The bulk of
the added plates appear to date from about 1760 to 1830. Howes P113; Sabin 58950.