Benjamin Franklin. Mémoires de la vie privée de Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

Mémoires de la vie privée de Benjamin Franklin écrits par lui-même, et adressés à son fils. Paris: Buisson, 1791

8vo (200 x 123 mm). Title-page ornament; occasional chips or paper flaws at leaf edges not affecting text, a few minor spots and lightly toned leaves, a wide-margined copy. Contemporary French tree calf, gilt spine, red leather spine label, all edges stained red, green silk ribbon; restorations at joints, spine ends, and corners, hinges cracked and front joint starting but holding soundly.

The first appearance anywhere of the first part of Franklin's renowned memoirs—"the most widely read of all American autobiographies … this book holds the essence of the American way of life” (Grolier).

This unauthorized first edition of Franklin's memoirs was translated into French by naturalist Jacques Gibelin from a 1771 manuscript. It covers Franklin's life up to 1731 and is written as a series of letters to his son William, to whom he also offers his thoughts on philosophy, religion, politics, war, and much more. The remaining account of his life is taken from Wilmer's Memoirs of Franklin. Franklin's autobiography was not published in English until two years later (see following lot), followed by the first American edition in 1794. Both were re-translations from this French text.

REFERENCES

Sabin 25549; Howes F323; Ford 383; Grolier/American 21; Streeter sale 7:4171; Struggle for North America 91