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1744 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Phila. Printed TRUE First Edition M.T. CICEROS CATO MAJOR

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
1744 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Phila. Printed TRUE First Edition M.T. CICEROS CATO MAJOR
Autographs
1744 Benjamin Franklin Printed Book of Cicero’s “Cato Major, or his discourse of Old-Age: with Explanatory Notes”
(BENJAMIN FRANKLIN) (1706-1790) Printer. 1744-Dated Colonial America, True First Edition Book titled, “M.T. Cicero’s Cato Major, or his discourse of Old-Age: with Explanatory Notes.”, Printed and Sold by Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia, by Marcus Tullius (106-43 B.C.), Translated by Franklin’s old friend and secretary to William Penn, James Logan, Considered the “Pinnacle” of Franklin's Press, Complete, Very Fine.
An original, “True First Edition” of this exceedingly rare and important 1744 Benjamin Franklin printed book, (not signed) as printed on his famous press and sold in Franklin’s Philadelphia Print Shop. This First Edition is considered the Pinnacle of Franklin's Press as stated by Evans, Ford, and Sabin. The book measures about 5.25” x 8”, with 159 pages. Page 27 is noted as it proves the “true” First Edition status, by the presence in the fifth line of the spelling error “ony” instead of “only”. The title page is printed in red and black with a printer's device below, and with “Printed and Sold by B. FRANKLIN” below.

Hardbound in full period calf, double ruled in gilt, five raised bands on the spine. Internally sound having full solid pages with typical modest foxing, scattered soiling throughout. Some trivial chipping confined to the outer margins and not affecting text. Overall, a very good copy of this important Franklin imprint. Housed in a brown cloth chemise that slips into a quarter morocco over marbled boards case, lettered and ruled in gilt.

Franklin's bibliographers, and indeed bibliographers of early American imprints in general, all concur that this title is the “pinnacle” of Franklin's press, with Evans stating, "this is generally considered to be the best specimen of printing produced by Franklin's press." Ford agrees, remarking, "it is the finest piece of printing from Franklin's press, and is eagerly sought for by collectors..." Sabin conclusively notes, "(this is) probably the finest production of Franklin's press, and really a splendid specimen of the art."

Without concern for word-count, Church begins, "it is generally conceded to be the finest product of Franklin's press, if not of the American press of the eighteenth century. It is really a beautiful specimen of the printer's art," and he concludes with a quote from Franklin's own The Printer to the Reader, which notes the volume is printed, "in a large and fair Character, that those who begin to think on the Subject of OLD-AGE, (which seldom happens till their Sight is somewhat impair'd by its Approaches) may not, in Reading, by the Pain small Letters give the Eyes, feel the Pleasure of the Mind in the least allayed."

Prior appearances of this rare book are few and far between. Over two decades ago in April 2001, a similar First Edition sold for $22,325 at a Christie’s, New York, Auction 9630 lot 146, underscoring the rarity and collector popularity of this book. We have seen other listings in the past by dealers on AbeBooks for $22,500 and $32,500 although no copies are currently listed. This current, “‘True’ First Edition - First State” should not to be confused with the Second State, with the page 27 spelling error having been reprinted and corrected. An important work, lacking in virtually all major institutional and specialized Benjamin Franklin imprint collections.