Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces

1779. FRANKLIN, Benjamin. Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces ... London: Printed for J. Johnson, 1779. xi,[1],567,[7]pp. Engraved portrait frontis., 3 plates (one folding), and folding table. Bound in later fill polished calf, gilt-ruled spine, red morocco spine label. Scattered faint foxing and toning, else very good. HOWES F-330, "aa." Sabin 25565. Ford 342. American Controversy 79- 38b. Reese, Revolutionary Hundred 56. First edition of a noted lifetime collection of Franklin's essays published during the American Revolution. Edited by his close friend Benjamin Vaughan and published in London during the American Revolution while Franklin served as the Ambassador to France, this is the "only edition of Franklin's writings (other than his scientific), which was printed during his life time; [and] was done with Franklin's knowledge and consent and contains an 'errata' made by him for it" (Ford). Many of the pieces published here relate to the Revolution, including the transcript of Franklin's famous appearance before Parliament in 1766 in which he argued successfully for the repeal of the Stamp Act. Also present here is the culmination of his sagacious Poor Richard advice, his THE WAY TO WEALTH. And although the compilation is predominantly political or social essays, the collected work also includes his paper on the effectiveness of lightning rods. The work closes with Franklin's famous mock epitaph: "The body of / B. Franklin, Printer / (Like the Cover of an Old Book / Its Contents torn Out / And Stript of its Lettering and Gilding) / Lies Here, Food for Worms. / But the Work shall not be Lost; / For it will (as he Believ'd) Appear once More / In a New and More Elegant Edition / Revised and Corrected / By the Author.