Franklin and William Pitt : Franklin's Letter of January 21, 1775. Indiana University Library Publications No. 1; First edition, first printing
Bloomington: Indiana University Library Publications, 1949. First edition. Pamphlet. SIGNED and inscribed by the author. 275 copies printed. Slight wear to edgs and corners. Glue and staplebound, with a noticeable depth to spine. Crease along front where pamphlet was opened. Slight scuffing to covers. 24 p. Includes many small annotations in pencil of a scholarly nature, disputing the assertions of the author. This work is a background and transcription of a long letter, at first thought from Franklin, to an unknown correspondent. The letter details the events in London on 20 January 1775 in the House of Lords on Lord Chatham's motion to reduce tensions with the American colonies, and its subsequent rejection. Current thinking is that the letter was actually written by Jonathan Williams, his great-nephew and secretary who was with Franklin at this time in England. The work is also the first publication by this library, a useful first-hand resource on Revolutionary history, and a good item for a serious Franklin collector. Very Good. Item #13032
Price: $50.00