Washington, George | A very early printing of Washington's Farewell Address

Washington, George

The President's Address to the People of the United States. [Philadelphia, 1796]

8vo (223 x 126 mm), Gathered signatures, stabbed and stitched; sewing loose, browned throughout, faint dampstaining to lower right corners of last two leaves. Green cloth portfolio, spine lettered gilt.

“An interesting printing of Washington’s Farewell Address, cited by several authorities, such as Evans and Stevens, as the first pamphlet edition, but now believed to be one of the early pamphlet printings, probably issued in Philadelphia not long after its first publication in September of 1796, to meet the great demand for the text, but without a clear priority of publication” (Celebration).

PROVENANCE

Victor B. Levit (bookplate on pastedown)

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 135; Evans 31542; Federal Hundred 64; Howes W143; Grolier/American 24