(University of Pennsylvania) | Prayers for the Use of the Philadelphia Academy, owned by a descendent of Franklin

(University of Pennsylvania)

Prayers for the Use of the Philadelphia Academy. Philadelphia: B. Franklin and D. Hall, 1753

8vo (150 x 91 mm). Woodcut headpieces; some browning particularly to title, top margin trimmed close, small hole to A2 costing one letter, a few stray spots, lacking final blanks. Early 20th century three-quarter pebble grain morocco and red cloth covered boards, spine gilt-lettered, paper library label to upper cover; extremities rubbed, minor soiling. Housed in custom slipcase and folding chemise.

First edition — the Franklin Bache Huntington copy. Huntington was the great-great-great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin. The work is accompanied by a letter dated 31 May 1928 from Asa Dickinson, the University pf Pennsylvania Librarian, to Franklin Bache Huntington, stating: "It gives me great pleasure to place in your hands in exchange for other Frankliniana a duplicate copy of a little pamphlet…which was printed by your great ancestor in 1753, a few short years after his launching of the institution which became the University of Pennsylvania."

Rare. Miller lists only two copies, one at the University of Pennsylvania, and one in private hands (presumably this copy).

REFERENCES:

Miller 581; Evans 7093; Campbell 508

PROVENANCE:

University of Pennsylvania (note; bookplate to front pastedown; blindstamp to title; paper shelfmark label to upper cover) — Franklin Bache Huntington (note; manuscript annotation to bookplate)