Franklin, Benjamin | One of only 600 numbered sets

Franklin, Benjamin

The Complete Works ... New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1887

10 vol, 8vo (232 x 151 mm). Half-title, numbered 552 of 660, engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin with tissue guard in the 1st and 4th volumes, woodcut head- and tail-pieces; offsetting from frontispiece in first volume, occasional stray spots. Early twentieth-century half dark green-brown morocco over green boards, spine with raised bands in six compartments, second and third compartment lettered in gilt, others with repeat gilt decoration, dated in gilt at foot, top edges gilt; boards rubbed and with occasional soiling, adhesive affixed to upper board of 2nd volume, fore-edges edges a little browned.

One of only 600 numbered sets. Bigelow notes in his preface that the "'Autobiography' is here printed, for the first time in any collected edition of his works, from the original manuscript and without mutilation." The handsome set also contains Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Franklin's periodical writings, and his extensive correspondence. 

In addition to the complete Autobiography, the set contains substantial material that had previously been unpublished. Between the publication of Sparks' edition of 1836-1842 and the present one, a substantial collection of Franklin's papers came to light, and were made available to Bigelow by the Library of Congress.