Marcus Tullius Cicero | "Next to the almanacs ... probably Franklin's best known publication"

Marcus Tullius Cicero

M. T. Cicero's Cato Major, or His Discourse of Old-Age: With Explanatory Notes (trans. James Logan). Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, MDCCXLIV (1744)

4to (202 x 140 mm). Title printed in red and black with woodcut device; manuscript note to title-page describing Franklin, some instances of minor soiling, faint and minor dampstaining to margins of a few leaves, a few closed tears not affecting text, residue or possible repair to lower gutter of title and leaf )(2. Contemporary calf, spine in six gilt-ruled compartments, the second with red morocco title label gilt-lettered; upper joint split but holding, corners bumped, head and foot of spine chipped with some loss, rubbing to extremities, scuff to lower cover, front free endpaper with small tear to gutter. Slipcase, chemise.

First edition, second issue of Franklin's imprint of Cicero's classic dialogue on old age, widely recognized as a masterpiece of colonial American printing.

Miller writes that aside from his almanacs, the Cato Major is "probably Franklin's best known publication; many think it is 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 present copy is the second issue, with the misprint "ony" on page 27 corrected to "only."

Franklin displays his sense of humor in the work's preface, highlighting his conscious choice to employ the advantages of printing in large type. Noting the subject matter, he writes, "I have, Gentle Reader, as thou seest, printed this Piece of Cicero's in a large and fair Character, that those who begin to think on the Subject of OLD-AGE, (which seldom happens till their Sight is somewhat impair'd by its Approaches) may not, in Reading, by the Pain small Letters give the Eyes, feel the Pleasure of the Mind in the least allayed."

But Franklin soon pivots to a serious tone, reflecting on the significance of his project: "I shall add to these few Lines my hearty Wish, that this first Translation of a Classic in this Western World, may be followed with many others, performed with equal Judgment and Success; and be a happy Omen, that Philadelphia shall become the Seat of the American Muses."

The first classical work printed in America.

REFERENCES

Miller 347; ESTC W20709; Evans 5361; Hildeburn 868; Sabin 1304