March 8, 2009
AN ORIGINAL FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE OF FRANKLIN’S PERSONAL FAVORITE FROM HIS PRESS
“THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE PRINTING ART IN COLONIAL AMERICA”- a copy in a contemporary binding
[FRANKLIN, Benjamin, printer (1706 -1790)]. CICERO, Marcus Tullius (106-43 B.C.). M.T. Cicero’s Cato Major, or his Discourse of Old-Age: with explanatory notes. Translated by James Logan (1674-1751). Philadelphia: Printed and sold by Benjamin Franklin, 1744. viii, 159 p. ; 21 cm. (4to) Translated & annotated by James Logan. VERY RARE FIRST STATE of two states of gathering D noted by Miller with the word “only” on p. 27, line 5, misspelled “ony.” COMPLETE. Rare in CONTEMPORARY BLIND-STAMPED PENNSYLVANIA BINDING. Slight separation to lower front board, front blank flyleaf detached but present, leaf v/vi with some loss to upper margin not touching text, smaller lower marginal loss to 21, some corner bumping, usual stains and spotting. Overall, a Very Good unrestored and unsophisticated copy. Contemporary ownership inscription of James Alinby, 1751 with sketches of Union Jack and chicken. Early manuscript Pennsylvania promissory note to rear flyleaf for the sum of eight pounds Pennsylvania currency from James Forrest to Robt. Spencer. Other fascinating historical tidbits include an annotation to flyleaf that Benjamin Condy (c. 1735-1798), the famed nautical mathematical instrument maker of Philadelphia “drowned this man [likely, James Alinby]” Most importantly, from the standpoint of publishing historians, is the rare and important annotation of the original price paid in 1751 for the book in colonial currency “3/9” (3 shillings, nine pence). Modern Provenance: The book comes with colorful provenance- photocopies of the newspaper articles describing how it was found for 5 cents and valued at $2000 in 1949! [$14,000]
“Only once did [Franklin] publish an original, full-sized book at his own expense, James Logan’s translation of Cicero’s Cato Major. He printed it in large type on creamy paper to flatter the Quaker grandee and to show off his own prowess as a printer” (Benjamin Franklin In Search of a Better World, p. 79)
“The Library of Congress calls this “A Masterwork of Printing…Franklin’s personal favorite from his press, is considered to be the finest example of the printing art in colonial America. Furthermore, this work by the Roman philosopher statesman Cicero is the first classic work translated and printed in North America.” [Ref: Library of Congress Exhibit]
Bibliography Ref: Miller, C. William BENJAMIN FRANKLIN’S PHILADELPHIAPRINTING, 1728-1766 A DESCRIPTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY American Philosophical Society Philadelphia 1974 4to., cloth, dust jacket. xc, 583 pages.
