Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - January - 2009 Issue
American Politics from the William Reese Company
What may be the first public printing of the American Constitution.
Item 190 is what may be the first unofficial (public) printing of the Constitution, headed Plan of the New Federal Government. It is a four-page document from the press of Philadelphia printer Robert Smith. The official printing for the delegates was made on September 17, 1787, and the official printer made a copy for the public two days later in his Pennsylvania Packet on September 19. Smith's printing is undated, so all that can be said for certain is that it was printed prior to November 1, when his press changed its name. However, its uneven placement on the paper is an indication it may have been rushed off in a hurry, which tends to imply that it was a very early issue. Also, Smith published a newspaper at the time, of which copies of all issues except September 18 survive. Possibly, that date is missing because Smith was printing this handbill instead. If so, it would be the first public printing. $300,000.
John Henry was more than a steel-driving man. He was a spy, intriguer, and probably a fraud. This is not the mythical rail-splitter, but an apparent British spy who provided President Madison with some papers supposedly showing British intentions shortly before the War of 1812. Whether these contained accurate information is unclear, but Madison was sufficiently impressed to give Henry the then enormous sum of $50,000. The letters played a role in pushing the U.S. into war with Britain. Reportedly, Henry took his money and ran to France, where whatever became of him is unknown. Item 81 is Facts Relative to John Henry and His Negotiation, published in 1812, which points out what was supposedly known about Henry and his activities. $500.
You may reach the William Reese Company at 203-789-8081 or [email protected]. Their website is www.reeseco.com.
Rare Book Monthly
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Freeman’s, August 20. President Washington Reaffirms the US Treaty of Friendship and Peace with Morocco, the Longest Unbroken Treaty in US History. $50,000 – 80,000.Freeman’s, August 20. Weeks After Victory at Yorktown, Benjamin Franklin Promises Repayment of a French Loan that Funded the American Revolution. $200,000 – 300,000.Freeman’s, August 20. Rare First Edition of the Foundational Text of the Mormon Church. $100,000 – 150,000.Freeman’s, August 20. President Washington Sends the First Major Law Passed by Congress, the Tariff Act of 1789. $100,000 – 150,000.Freeman’s, August 20. A Scarce Example of Audubon's Depiction of a Brown Pelican, Plate CCLI from his Birds of America. $30,000 – 50,000.Freeman’s, August 20. The Official and First Obtainable Broadside Printing of the Lincoln's Final Emancipation Proclamation. $30,000 – 50,000. -
