Beschreibung:

FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN, Signer (Pennsylvania) . Autograph letter signed ("B Franklin") to Mr. [John] Ladd of Gloucester County, New Jersey, 12 June 1738. 1/2 page, folio, 4to, 312 x 191 mm. (12 1/4 x 7 1/2 in.), verso with address panel in Franklin's hand, recipient's docket, small seal tear, fold separations (without loss), the letter browned in center, dampstain to lower left-hand corner. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BOOKSELLER A very early letter of considerable interest, as it relates to Franklin's active business as a bookseller, stationer, and book importer. Ladd (d.1770), a New Jersey surveyor and justice of the peace, later elected to the Assembly, had apparently ordered some volumes and inquired about the availability of others. Franklin, in reply, describes some standard literary editions available from his stock. "Sir I send you the Ladies Library & the other two Vols. of Don Quixote. The Homers I have are done by Pope [Alexander Pope's translation, first published in 1725-26, which had quickly become the most popular English version]. The Iliads are in 6 vols. 12mo price 45/. The Odysseys 5 vols. 12mo price 37/6. They are beautifully printed and neatly bound. I will not part with them until I hear from you. I am Sir Your most hum[bl]e Serv[an]t B Franklin." In the Pennsylvania Gazette of 25 May 1738 and later issues, Franklin advertised a list of "just imported" books, including The Ladies' Library, 3 vols. and Pope's Homer . Franklin's Shop Book contains a record of Ladd's purchase of the Don Quixote and Ladies' Library on 9 June, and his further purchase of the set of Homer offered here on 19 July. Published (from a transcript) in Franklin, Papers , ed. L. W. Larabee et al, 2:206.