1799 – Works of Benjamin Franklin | On Slave Trade, Autobiography – Americana

Known as one of the most important and prolific founding fathers of America, Benjamin Franklin wrote several works that have left a legacy in American history. Franklin’s famous ‘Autobiography’ is often considered Franklin’s best-known book and is an important part of Americana. Originally known as ‘Memoirs’ by Franklin himself, ‘Autobiography’ covers each aspect of Franklin’s life including his studies in French, various letters he wrote while in Paris, the progress of his philosophies and experiments on electricity. This 1799 edition of Franklin’s “Autobiography” contains many of his most famous essays including:

• On Slave Trade
• Art of Procuring Pleasant Dreams
• On the Art of Swimming
• Observations of War
• Comparison of the conduct of the Ancient Jews to the Antifederalists of the United States of America
• On Luxury, Idleness, and Industry

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The works of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin : consisting of his Life written by himself
• Author(s): Benjamin Franklin
• Publisher: London, printed for A. Millar
• Edition: 1799.
• Binding: Full leather
• Format: (16mo), two volumes
• Size:  5.75 in x 3.75 in (15 cm x 10 cm)
• Collation: Vol. I: 207 pp; Vol. II: 201 pp
• Illustrations: None noted
• Contents Include:
  • Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Memoirs)
  • On Slave Trade
  • Art of Procuring Pleasant Dreams
  • On the Art of Swimming
  • Observations of War
  • Comparison of the conduct of the Ancient Jews to the Antifederalists of the United States of America
  • On Luxury, Idleness, and Industry

Condition:

Very Good. Original leather professionally restored, binding tight and secure with light wear to corners and edges. Marbled endpapers retained. Pages generally clean and legible.

Why Collect This?

• Late eighteenth century London printing of Franklin’s works
• Includes autobiography and notable essays in two volumes
• Relevant to Americana, philosophy, and political thought collections

Item Number: #50253