From the Library of Clayre and Jay Michael Haft
David Ramsay
The History of the American Revolution. Philadelphia: printed and sold by R. Aitken, 1789
FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes, 8vo (225 x 140mm.), contemporary boards, leaves uncut, browning and staining throughout, vol.1 with loss at spine and upper board becoming detached, bindings rubbed
WILLIAM TEMPLE FRANKLIN'S COPY OF RAMSAY'S IMPORTANT EARLY HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, THE FIRST BOOK TO RECEIVE COPYRIGHT IN THE UNITED STATES.
William Temple Franklin (known as Temple) was the illegitimate son of William Franklin, himself the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin. Dr. Franklin learned of his grandson's existence when on an extended mission to London, and soon took a shine to the four-year-old Temple. Franklin eventually took over full custody of the boy, acknowledging him as his only grandson through his male line, and brought Temple to America in 1775, where he was welcomed into the Franklin household.
Temple's fortunes changed after his trans-Atlantic adventure. He was appointed as his grandfather's Private Secretary on the American diplomatic mission to France in 1776, then appointed Secretary to the American Delegation at the Treaty of Paris between 1782 to 1783. This latter appointment came about only after Franklin leveraged his personal connections—even writing a letter of recommendation to the President of the Continental Congress, in which he lauded his grandson's "Sagacity and Judgement above his Years, great Diligence and Activity [...] Facility in speaking well the French Tongue, and all the Knowledge of Business to be obtained by a four Years constant Employment in the Secretary's Office" (letter of March 12th 1781).
In spite of heady ambitions for his grandson's future in politics, Franklin's efforts to lobby Congress in the hope of establishing Temple's diplomatic career were unfruitful. By all accounts, the young man was temperamentally unsuited to a role in public life—at least if we are to believe the private concerns expressed in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe.
Unfortunately, Temple does not appear to have been much good at preserving his grandfather's literary legacy either. Notoriously, whilst preparing Franklin's autobiography for publication, he exchanged autograph manuscripts for a fair copy, and allowed other portions of his grandfather's papers to end up as paper patterns in a tailor's shop.
It is unknown how long the present volume was in Temple's possession, and a previous bookseller's annotation overlooks the Franklin association entirely. The fact that Temple left this copy in the original publisher's boards could be evidence of his careless attitude towards his own books. Or, more charitably, it might suggest that he shared his grandfather's belief that printed texts are vehicles of knowledge to be absorbed rather than objects to be collected, cherished, and preserved. (Franklin was famously the founder of the Philadelphia Public Library, after all).
Ramsay's History is an important text in its own right, both for the historiography of the American Revolution, and for its landmark status in the history of publishing. Alongside The History of the Revolution of South Carolina, penned by the same author, it holds the joint distinction of being the first book to receive copyright in America. In the present work, Ramsay details Franklin's instrumental role in establishing the Franco-American alliance and shaping the course of American history:
"Dr Franklin., who was employed as agent in the business, and afterwards as minister plenipotentiary at the court of France, was in possession of a greater proportion of foreign fame, than any other native of America. By dint of superior abilities, and with but few advantages in life, he had attained the highest eminence among men of learning, and in many instances extended the empire of science. His genius was vast and comprehensive, and with equal ease investigated the mysteries of philosophy and the labyrinths of politics... glowing with the most ardent love for the liberties of his oppressed native country" (volume 2, p. 61).
First editions of Ramsay's History are rare, still rarer in the original boards, and with the Franklin association, this copy is a fascinating piece of Americana.
LITERATURE:Howes R35; Sabin 67687
PROVENANCE:William Temple Franklin (1760-1823): ownership inscription to title of volume 1
From the Library of Clayre and Jay Michael Haft
David Ramsay
The History of the American Revolution. Philadelphia: printed and sold by R. Aitken, 1789
FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes, 8vo (225 x 140mm.), contemporary boards, leaves uncut, browning and staining throughout, vol.1 with loss at spine and upper board becoming detached, bindings rubbed
WILLIAM TEMPLE FRANKLIN'S COPY OF RAMSAY'S IMPORTANT EARLY HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, THE FIRST BOOK TO RECEIVE COPYRIGHT IN THE UNITED STATES.
William Temple Franklin (known as Temple) was the illegitimate son of William Franklin, himself the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin. Dr. Franklin learned of his grandson's existence when on an extended mission to London, and soon took a shine to the four-year-old Temple. Franklin eventually took over full custody of the boy, acknowledging him as his only grandson through his male line, and brought Temple to America in 1775, where he was welcomed into the Franklin household.
Temple's fortunes changed after his trans-Atlantic adventure. He was appointed as his grandfather's Private Secretary on the American diplomatic mission to France in 1776, then appointed Secretary to the American Delegation at the Treaty of Paris between 1782 to 1783. This latter appointment came about only after Franklin leveraged his personal connections—even writing a letter of recommendation to the President of the Continental Congress, in which he lauded his grandson's "Sagacity and Judgement above his Years, great Diligence and Activity [...] Facility in speaking well the French Tongue, and all the Knowledge of Business to be obtained by a four Years constant Employment in the Secretary's Office" (letter of March 12th 1781).
In spite of heady ambitions for his grandson's future in politics, Franklin's efforts to lobby Congress in the hope of establishing Temple's diplomatic career were unfruitful. By all accounts, the young man was temperamentally unsuited to a role in public life—at least if we are to believe the private concerns expressed in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe.
Unfortunately, Temple does not appear to have been much good at preserving his grandfather's literary legacy either. Notoriously, whilst preparing Franklin's autobiography for publication, he exchanged autograph manuscripts for a fair copy, and allowed other portions of his grandfather's papers to end up as paper patterns in a tailor's shop.
It is unknown how long the present volume was in Temple's possession, and a previous bookseller's annotation overlooks the Franklin association entirely. The fact that Temple left this copy in the original publisher's boards could be evidence of his careless attitude towards his own books. Or, more charitably, it might suggest that he shared his grandfather's belief that printed texts are vehicles of knowledge to be absorbed rather than objects to be collected, cherished, and preserved. (Franklin was famously the founder of the Philadelphia Public Library, after all).
Ramsay's History is an important text in its own right, both for the historiography of the American Revolution, and for its landmark status in the history of publishing. Alongside The History of the Revolution of South Carolina, penned by the same author, it holds the joint distinction of being the first book to receive copyright in America. In the present work, Ramsay details Franklin's instrumental role in establishing the Franco-American alliance and shaping the course of American history:
"Dr Franklin., who was employed as agent in the business, and afterwards as minister plenipotentiary at the court of France, was in possession of a greater proportion of foreign fame, than any other native of America. By dint of superior abilities, and with but few advantages in life, he had attained the highest eminence among men of learning, and in many instances extended the empire of science. His genius was vast and comprehensive, and with equal ease investigated the mysteries of philosophy and the labyrinths of politics... glowing with the most ardent love for the liberties of his oppressed native country" (volume 2, p. 61).
First editions of Ramsay's History are rare, still rarer in the original boards, and with the Franklin association, this copy is a fascinating piece of Americana.
LITERATURE:Howes R35; Sabin 67687
PROVENANCE:William Temple Franklin (1760-1823): ownership inscription to title of volume 1
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