“THE MOST WIDELY READ OF ALL AMERICAN AUTOBIOGRAPHIES”: RARE 1794 FIRST AMERICAN EDITION OF FRANKLIN’S WORKS, IN CONTEMPORARY CALF

FRANKLIN, Benjamin. The Works of the Late Dr. Benjamin Franklin Consisting of his Life Written by Himself. Together with Essays Humorous, Moral & Literary, Chiefly in the Manner of the Spectator. New York: Tiebout & Obrian, [1794]. Two volumes in one (as issued). 12mo, contemporary full brown tree calf, elaborately decorated spine, black morocco spine label. $11,000.

Scarce first American edition, including Franklin’s autobiography and his speech at the close of the 1787 Constitutional Convenention—“the most eloquent words Franklin ever wrote”— with Maverick’s famous frontispiece portrait of Franklin (often lacking) and engraved title page, in full contemporary calf.

Hailed as the "first great American" by historian Frederick Jackson Turner, America's "first philosopher" by David Hume and "one of the most sensible men that ever lived" by Emerson, Benjamin Franklin, in both his life and writings, "held true to a fundamental ideal with unwavering and at times heroic fortitude: a faith in the wisdom of the common citizen" (Isaacson, 478-93). This first American edition of Franklin's Works, published four years after his death, offers rich evidence of the pragmatic brilliance in the words of this Founding Father who was described as "a great genius" even by his adversary John Adams. Featured is Franklin's famed autobiography, "the most widely read of all American autobiographies… it holds the essence of the American way of life" (Grolier American 100). Also included are numerous essays, such as his "Advice to a Young Tradesman," "On Criminal Laws and Privateering," "On the Slave Trade," "Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America" and Franklin's powerful speech given the final day of the 1787 Constitutional Convention, proclaiming "for the ages the enlightened creed that became central to America's freedom. They were the most eloquent words Franklin ever wrote" (Isaacson, 457). First published in France (1791), Germany (1792), and Sweden (1792); first edition in English was published in London in 1793. "Though paged for two volumes, there is no title to the second part, and they were always bound together" (Ford). With first issue binder's instructions (Howes). This copy has the engraved frontispiece portrait by Peter Maverick, often lacking. Ford 441. Howes F323. Evans 27007. Grolier American 100: 21. Early owner signature.

Scattered mild foxing to text, one signature standing proud but solidly attached; contemporary calf with light wear, joints tender. A handsome copy.