- 19
(Constitutions of the United States)
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- Constitutions des treize États-Unis de l'Amerique. Philadelphia and Paris: [Printed for Benjamin Franklin by] Ph.-D. Pierres, 1783
- Paper, Ink
8vo (7 5/8 x 5 in.; 4 7/8 x 124 mm). Woodcut seal of the United States on title-page, early manuscript page numbers added to table of contents; gathering Ee quite foxed, occasional light foxing or soiling throughout, title-page soiled and very slightly frayed at upper fore-edge corner. Contemporary French calf, marbled endpapers; attractively rebacked, covers restored.
Literature
Howes C716; Livingston pp. 18188; Sabin 16118; Streeter sale 2:1035
Condition
8vo (7 5/8 x 5 in.; 4 7/8 x 124 mm). Woodcut seal of the United States on title-page, early manuscript page numbers added to table of contents; gathering Ee quite foxed, occasional light foxing or soiling throughout, title-page soiled and very slightly frayed at upper fore-edge corner. Contemporary French calf, marbled endpapers; attractively rebacked, covers restored.
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 COLLECTED EDITION IN FRENCH, translated by the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, with significant additional notes by Franklin. Besides the Constitutions of each of the thirteen states, the text includes the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and three treaties. "Franklin’s grand gesture in publishing and distributing these constitutions, about which there was an intense interest and curiosity among statesmen was one of his chief achievements as a propagandist for the new American republic" (Streeter).
The edition consisted of 500 copies in the octavo format, with 100 additional copies imposed as quartos on large paper. THIS IS THE FIRST APPEARANCE IN A BOOK OF THE SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
The edition consisted of 500 copies in the octavo format, with 100 additional copies imposed as quartos on large paper. THIS IS THE FIRST APPEARANCE IN A BOOK OF THE SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES.