Beschreibung:

FRANKLIN, Benjamin. Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces ... London: J. Johnson 1779. 8 o (228 x 146 mm.) Engraved portrait frontispiece of Franklin, 3 engraved plates (1 folding) of scientific experiments. (Minor spotting to some leaves, lacks H3 and H4 [pp.101-104]). Original paper-backed blue paper boards, UNCUT, some quires unopened (spine lacking, front cover partly loose). Provenance : Jacques Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont (Franklin's autograph inscription on title-page: "To M. Le Ray de Chaumont le fils from the Author," dated in another hand (Chaumont's?) "15 May 1780"); inscription on front flyleaf: "achet la vente du chateau de Chaumont en 1823." FIRST EDITION, A PRESENTATION COPY of this collection, edited by Franklin's friend Benjamin Vaughan, constituting the sole edition of Franklin's writings published with his consent during his life. An interesting association copy presented by Franklin to Jacques Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, a well-to-do shipper, slave-trader and supplier to the army who had made a fortune in the West India trade. De Chaumont was the owner of the Chateau de Chaumont sur Loire and of the Hotel Valentinois in Passy, where Franklin lived during his term as Ambassador to France. A friend of Vergennes, the French Minister of War, he was a strong supporter of American independence and "was to spend two million francs, almost his entire fortune, aiding the Americans; he said that he would take no rent from Franklin until the American cause was triumphant... (E. Wright, Franklin of Philadelphia , p.264). It was de Chaumont who, at Franklin's urging, purchased the Bonhomme Richard for John Paul Jones (though they later quarrelled over the division of the prize money Jones won). Ford 342; Howes F330; Sabin 25565.