(Treaty of Paris) | First Philadelphia printing of the Preliminary Articles of Peace

(Treaty of Paris)

Supplement to the Pennsylvania Packet. Wednesday, April 9, 1783 … Authentic Copy of the Preliminary Articles of Peace. Philadelphia: Printed by David C. Claypoole, in Market-Street, April 9, 1783

Broadside newspaper supplement (516 x 265 mm). Five lines of heading, text in three columns; lightly browned, a few light stains, lower portion of left margin trimmed away. Half blue morocco slipcase gilt, chemise.

An exceptionally rare broadside printing of the preliminary peace accords between Great Britain and France and Spain, and certainly among the first American publications of the complete treaty details. British, French, Spanish, and American officials signed their agreements to the preliminary peace articles at Versailles on 20 January 1783, but the initial news of the agreement did not reach the United States until the end of March. The full text of the treaties arrived at New York—which was still occupied by the British—over a week later and four days after that came to Phialdelphia, as related by Claypoole in the extended headline to this Supplement: "The printer takes the earliest opportunity of laying before the public the following most important intelligence, brought to town last evening from New-York, where it was received on Saturday afternoon by a packet from England." 

Although the final peace between Great Britain and her former colonies was yet to be ratified, this preliminary peace signaled the end of the war. Rare: ESTC records only a single copy, at the Clements Library.

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 96; Bristol B5781; ESTC W36642; Shipton & Mooney 44486