Continental Congress

Journals of Congress. Containing the Proceedings ... Volume I [-XIII]. Philadelphia: R. Aitken [John Dunlap, David Claypoole], 1777–1788

13 volumes, 8vo (each ca. 8 x 4 3/4 in.; 204 x 120 mm, with variation). Scattered light browning, vols. V, IX, and XI lack indexes, fourth page of Appendix of vol. IV affixed to rear board, several title-pages a bit stained, a few with marginal fraying, withal very good condition. Uniform contemporary sheep (apart from vol. IX in contemporary speckled calf), spines stamped with short title and vol. number and year (final four volumes misnumbered on spine), three vols. with contemporary wastepaper endpapers (from Pennsylvania Magazine and other sources). Gray cloth folding-cases, black morocco spine labels.

Abiel Foster (presentation bookplate to the Canterbury Social Library in several volumes. Foster was a member of the Continental Congress from New Hampshire from 1783 to 1785 and later served in the U.S. House of Representatives) — William A. G. Dade (signature in vol. IX). Acquisition: William Reese

A rare complete set, mostly first printings, of the first uniform edition of the Journals of Congress. On 26 September 1776, Congress authorized Robert Aitken to reprint the two congressional journals that had appeared, essentially, as occasional publications "and to continue to print the same." In the event, Aitken's duties were often fulfilled by John Dunlap and David Claypoole, both well known to Congress. The Journals contain the most vital documents from the Revolutionary period through the proposal of the federal constitution, including the text of the Declaration of Independence (with the names of the Signers), minutes of the debates at the Constitutional Convention, and the proposed text of that document.

The set includes: Journals...Vol. I, Sept. 5, 1774 to Jan. 1 1776. Philadelphia: R. Aitken, 1777 (Evans 15683) — Vol. II, for the Year 1776. Philadelphia: R. Aitken 1777 (Evans 15684). — Vol. III, January 1, 1777 to January 1, 1778. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, [1778] (Evans 16138). — Vol. IV, January 1, 1778 to January 1, 1779. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, [1779] (Evans 16584). — Vol V., January 1, 1779 to January 1, 1780. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, [1780] (Evans 17766). — Vol. VI, January 1, 1780 to January 1, 1781. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, [1781] (Evans 17392). — Vol. VII, for the Year 1781. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, 1781 (Evans 17767) — Vol. VIII, November 1782 to November 1783. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, 1783 (Evans 18266). — Vol. IX, November 1783 to June 1784. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, [1784] (Evans 18840). — Vol. X, November 1784 to November 1785. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1785 (Evans 19316). — Vol. XI, November 1785 to November 1786. [Philadelphia:] John Dunlap, [1786] (Evans 20068). — Vol XII., November 1786 to November 1787. [Philadelphia:] Published by Order of the Congress, 1787 (Evans 20772). — Vol. XIII, November 1787 to November 1788. [Philadelphia:] John Dunlap, [1788] (Evans 21526).