Constitutions des treize États-Unis de l'Amérique.

Author
United States. Continental Congress [Browse]
Uniform title
Format
Book
Language
French
Published/​Created
A Philadelphie [i.e. Paris] ; Et se trouve à Paris : Chez Ph.-D. Pierres ... Pissot, pere & fils, libraires ..., 1783.
Description
[8], 540 p. (first leaf blank) ; 36 cm. (4to)

Details

Subject(s)
Former owner
Donor
Rare books genre
Contains
Notes
  • A translation of "The constitutions of the several independent states of America: the Declaration of independence: the Articles of confederation" etc., a collection prepared by a committee of three under a resolution, December 1780, of the Continental Congress, first published, Philadelphia, 1781.
  • The publication of this translation (made by Louis Alexandre, duc de La Rochefoucauld) was negotiated by Benjamin Franklin. (cf. Sparks' edition of Franklin's works, 1840, vol. IX, p. 503, 508, 523) It has no connection with Regnier's "Recueil des lois constitutives des colonies angloises à Philadelphie, Paris, 1778."
  • Title vignette: first instance of the seal of the United States.
  • 600 copies printed (100 on large paper). Howes C 716.
  • Note on formats: ESTC T138348 is 8⁰ ; ESTC W42083 is 4⁰ (large paper).
  • Princeton copy 5 WHS shelf-list has note: Bought with U.S. Constitution, 17 Sept. 1787 (q.v.) which was bound in at end of this volume and disbound by W.H.S. [In pencil at head of note: 15.4.47 (or 15.4.41].
Binding note
  • Princeton copy 1 Ex copy 1 is bound in red morocco, gilt, black title piece, all edges gilt, with La Rochefoucauld arms on spine.
  • Princeton copy 2 Ex copy 2 in original blue wrappers uncut.
  • Princeton copy 3 Ex copy 3 is one of the "50 half bound, that is between Paste Boards with a Sheepskin Back, and Letter'd but not cut" (Franklin to the printer Pierres, 10 June 1783).
  • Princeton copy 4 Ex copy 4 is one of the "50 of the 8vos bound in Calf and letter'd" (Franklin to the printer Pierres, 10 June 1783).
Contents
  • I. New-Hamphsire [sic]
  • II. Massachusetts
  • III. Rhode-Island
  • IV. Connecticut
  • V. New-Yorck
  • VI. New-Jersey
  • VII. Pensylvanie
  • VIII. Delaware
  • IX. Maryland
  • X. Virginie
  • XI. Caroline Septentrionale
  • XII. Caroline Méridionale
  • XIII. Georgie
  • Déclaration de l'indépendance
  • Articles de confédération
  • Traité d'amité et de commerce [1778]
  • Traité d'alliance
  • Traité d'amité et de commerce [1782]
  • Traité d'amité et de commerce [1783].
Provenance
  • Princeton copy 1 Stamped on spine with arms of the duc de La Rochefoucauld.
  • Princeton copy 1 Round booklabel with monogram "I.T" and motto "Inter folia fructus." This is the label of James Toovey, d. 1893.
  • Princeton copy 3 Presentation copy to George Hammond from Benjamin Franklin with inscription by Mr. Hammond.
  • Princeton copy 4 Inscribed by Benjamin Franklin on t.p.: "Translated by the Duke de Ruchefoucauld, and the Translation revised before Impression by B.F."
  • Princeton copy 5 WHS shelf-list has no date of acquisition or name of vendor.
Source acquisition
  • Princeton copy 1 Ex copy 1 is the gift of Junius Spencer Morgan, accessioned May 10, 1897.
  • Princeton copy 2 Ex copy 2 is given in memory of Alfred Goddard Kay, Class of 1912.
  • Princeton copy 3 Ex copy 3 is from the estate of George Simpson Eddy.
  • Princeton copy 4 Ex copy 4 is the gift of Andre de Coppet, Class of 1915.
  • Princeton copy 6 Gift; Sidney Lapidus, Princeton Class of 1959, 2021.
  • Princeton copy 7 Gift; Sidney Lapidus, Princeton Class of 1959, 2021.
References
  • Luther S. Livingston, Franklin & Press at Passy, pp. 181-88.
  • ESTC W42083
  • ESTC T138348
Place name(s)
  • France Paris.
  • United States Pennsylvania Philadelphia.
LCCN
09018347
OCLC
2036397
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