Beschreibung:

Washington, GeorgeThe Text-Book of the Washington Benevolent Society: Containing, a Biography and Character of George Washington, His Farewell Address, to the People of the United States, and the Federal Constitution, with the Amendments. Concord: Published by George Hough, 1812 12mo (131 x 81 mm). Stipple-engraved frontispiece portrait of Washington after Gilbert Stuart; without the certificate of membership, browned throughout, a few stray stains. Contemporary sheep-backed marbled boards, spine lettered gilt; somewhat worn, board edges abraded, boards a bit scuffed, spine and joints rubbed. The Washington Benevolent Society was established by the Federalist party to create grassroots political clubs throughout the country between 1808 and 1816. It helped pioneer electioneering techniques such as the textbook and certificate of membership. A later method employed by the Society to enroll party members was the use of pictorial badges bearing Washington's image and the motto "Pro Patria," a practice that continued throughout the nineteenth-century with badges depicting the actual candidates. REFERENCE:Shaw & Shoemaker 27459; Sabin mentions the work just below 95143, cross-referencing it to the Washington Benevolent Society where the entry was omitted PROVENANCE:Charles McM--- (contemporary signature on front free endpaper partially effaced)Condition reportCondition as described in catalogue entry. The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The