Pennsylvania Society for the Encouragement of Manufactures and the Useful Arts

16 original subscription books for the Pennsylvania Society for the Encouragement of Manufactures and the Useful Arts, Philadelphia, 1787–1788) [first book dated 21 August 1787, each book containing 14 leaves (10 1/8 x 8 1/4 in.; 256 x 208 mm) ledger-ruled in red, the first page of each with letterpress heading (probably printed by John Dunlap), reading "We, the Subscribers, approving the Plan of The Pennsylvania Society for the Encouragement of Manufactures and the Useful Arts, do hereby engage to pay to the Treasurer of the said Society, the Amount of such and so many Shares of Ten Pounds each, as are set against our Names respectively towards the manufacturing Fund therein mentioned," the books with the autograph subscriptions of scores of prominent Philadelphians, headed by Benjamin Franklin and four other Signers of the Declaration of Independence; a little light foxing. Uniformly bound in contemporary stiff marbled wrappers, all but the last, summary, book with a neat manuscript oval paper label on the front cover.

a little light foxing
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Pennsylvania Society for the Encouragement of Manufactures and the Useful Arts was founded in 1787. In the Plan the Society published that year, the founders described their goals: "The wealth and prosperity of nations principally depend on a due attention to agriculture, manufactures, and commerce. In the various stages of her political existence, America has derived great advantages from the establishment of Manufactures and the useful Arts. Her present situation in the world calls her by new and weighty considerations to promote and extend them. The United States, having assumed the station of an independent government, require new resources to support their rank and influence both abroad and at home.

"Our distance from the nations of Europe—our possessing within ourselves the materials of the useful arts, and articles of consumption and commerce—the profusion of wood and water (those powerful and necessary agents in all arts and manufactures)—the variety of natural productions with which this extensive country abounds, and the number of people in our towns and most ancient settlements whose education has qualified them for employments of this nature—all concur to point out the necessity of our promoting and establishing manufactures among ourselves. ... For the better employment of the industrious poor, and in order to render the society as useful as possible, a subscription for sums not less than ten pounds from any one person or company shall be immediately opened to all persons whatever for the purpose of establishing factories in such places as shall be thought most suitable."

Philadelphians readily joined to support the new Society, and each subscription book has from one to four pages filled out. Benjamin Franklin, who subscribed for 5 shares, was joined by four fellow Signers of the Declaration of Independence, each of whom took one share: George Clymer, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, James Wilson.

Printers figure very prominently among the signatories, including (again, in addition to Franklin, of course), Robert Aitken, Francis Bailey, William Hall, William Bradford, Joseph Crukshank. Among other notable subscribers are Thomas Mifflin, who served as President of the Society, Thomas McKean, Thomas Franklin, John Ross, James Read, and Tench Coxe. By far the largest subscription was made by the Treasurer of Pennslyvania, David Rittenhouse, "for the use of the State": one hundred shares. Rittenhouse also subscribed for one share as an individual.

Each of the subscription books covered a specific area, as follows: No. 1: New Market Ward; No. 2: Dock Ward; No. 3: South Ward; No. 4: Middle Ward; No. 5: Chesnutt Ward; No. 6: Walnot Ward; No. 7: Lower Delaware Ward; N. 8: Upper Delaware Ward; No. 9: High Street Ward; No. 10: North Ward; No. 11: South Mulberry Ward; No. 12: North Mulberry Ward; No. 20: East Northern Liberties; No. 25: East Southwark; No. 45: East Northern Liberties. The final volume is not numbered and contains a list of the 47 neighborhoods, townships, and counties that were assigned individual books.

Subscription book No. 8 contains, sewn through the front cover onto the front pastedown, seven blank subscription receipts and a stub, no. 54, made out to William Smith.