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1745 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Philadelphia Printed, Historic Religious Text Imprint

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,400.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
1745 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Philadelphia Printed, Historic Religious Text Imprint
Colonial America
1745 Benjamin Franklin Printed Historic Religious Imprint
1745-Dated Colonial American Imprint by Benjamin Franklin, Printer, titled: “The Confession of Faith...,” PHILADELPHIA: Pinted and Sold by B. FRANKLIN, M.DCC.XLV”, Very Fine.
Benjamin Franklin Printed booklet, 42 pages, plus its full titles page having Benjamin Franklin’s printed name reading, “PHILADELPHIA: Printed by B. FRANKLIN, 1745.” (date in Roman numerals)”. One of eight major separate Imprints disbound compiled by Benjamin Franklin, printed on his historic press in colonial Philadelphia. Together these comprised a composite book titled, in full: “Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, with the Scripture Proofs at Large. Together with the Sum of Saving Knowledge (Contained in the Holy Scriptures, and held forth in the said Confession and Catechisms) and Practical Use thereof; Covenants National and Solemn League, Acknowledgment of Sins and Engagements to Duties, Directories, Form of Church Government, &c. of Public-Authority in the CHURCH of SCOTLAND, With - Acts of Assembly and Parliament, relative to, and approbative of the same. - PHILADELPHIA: Printed and Sold by B. FRANKLIN. 1745”.

Pages measure about 6.75" x 4.25". The complete volume contained 567 pages with an additional 24 unnumbered pages comprising, "A Table of the Chief Matters Contained in the Confession of Faith and Larger Catechisms." This major individual portion is titled: "The Shorter Catechism Agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster." It is well printed on very clean and easily readable period laid paper, section pages 369 to 410. Original sewn spine as made, light wear and in pleasing collectible quality. A rare original Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia imprint.


The rare first American publication of the “Confession”, with the larger catechism and brief summary of Christian Doctrine added, was done in Boston by S. Kneeland for D. Henchman in 1723, from Rothwell's London edition of 1658. (Benjamin Franklin, printer) used as his copy text, the Thomas Lumisden of John Robertson edition of Edinburgh, 1728, which with its completed 'canon' and accurate texts based on William Dunlop's edition of 1719 which represented the norm of Scottish editions.

See: Miller: Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia Printing, page 371. Sabin 15445.