- 62
Franklin, Benjamin, printer
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 USD
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Description
- paper
M.T. Cicero's Cato Major, or his Discourse of Old Age: With Explanatory Notes. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, 1744
8vo (8 x 5 5/8 in.; 204 x 143 mm). Title printed in red and black; some light marginal spotting. Contemporary mottled calf, gilt-ruled border, gilt-stamped red morocco title label on spine, in a half calf slipcase; rebacked with original spine laid down, bibliographic notes on front endpapers and clipped entry from old auction catalogue pasted to front endpaper.
8vo (8 x 5 5/8 in.; 204 x 143 mm). Title printed in red and black; some light marginal spotting. Contemporary mottled calf, gilt-ruled border, gilt-stamped red morocco title label on spine, in a half calf slipcase; rebacked with original spine laid down, bibliographic notes on front endpapers and clipped entry from old auction catalogue pasted to front endpaper.
Provenance
Henry Cunliffe (with his lozenge bookplate). Acquisition: Ralph Geoffrey Newman
Literature
Church 949; Evans 5361; Hildeburn 868; Miller 347; Norman 484; Sabin 13040
Condition
some light marginal spotting. Contemporary mottled calf, gilt-ruled border, gilt-stamped red morocco title label on spine, in a half-calf slipcase; rebacked with original spine laid down, bibliographic notes on front endpapers and clipped entry from old auction catalogue pasted to front endpaper.
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.
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.
Catalogue Note
First edition, second issue (with misprint "ony" on page 27 corrected to "only") and a very tall trade copy. "Next to the almanacs the Cato Major is probably Franklin's best known publication: many think it his most handsome piece of printing, and for a large number of important collectors ... it was the only Franklin imprint worth having in their collections" (Miller). The text and notes are by James Logan (1674–1751), the Philadelphia scientist, statesman, bibliophile and friend of Franklin.
While comparable in size to many "large-paper" copies, the present copy has the watermark "LVG" surmounted by a cross (visible at the gutter margins of leaves G1&4), and so does not employ the Genoese paper of the LP copy.