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1785 1st Edition Book: Considerations on the Order of Cincinnatus - G Washington

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,600.00 USD Estimated At:2,400.00 - 2,800.00 USD
1785 1st Edition Book: Considerations on the Order of Cincinnatus - G Washington
Washington Related
1785 George Washington Related First Edition Book Titled: “Considerations on the Order of Cincinnatus”
1785-Dated, First Edition (in English) Book titled: “Considerations on the Order of Cincinnatus,” (“The Society of the Cincinnati”) by Count de Mirabeau, Published by J. Johnson, London. Complete, Fine.
1785-Dated, Historical and important work regarding the beginnings of “The Society of the Cincinnati” founded by General George Washington as its first president and Henry Knox, 284 pages, measures about 5” x 8” (8vo). The concept of the Society of the Cincinnati was that of Major General Henry Knox. The first meeting of the Society was held in May 1783. This copy is bound in later brown half morocco and cloth hard covers, spine lettered in gilt. This being the Second Enlarged Edition in English,

translated from the 1st French edition by Samuel Romilly (originally published in French by Johnson the previous year). “The Order of the ‘Cincinnati’ was considered inimical to American principles-and this rare piece gives the Count Mirabeau’s views on the subject.”

Covers and spine extremities rubbed, hinges cracked; partially legible ink ownership stamp on upper title page, small early circulating library stamp on Page 1 (there are no external library markings), pencil notes on rear flyleaf; even light expected tone; overall quite complete and collectable. Rare! Sabin 49394; Howes M653
The Society of the Cincinnati, Inc. is a patriotic-hereditary society with branches in the United States and France, founded in 1783, to preserve the ideals and fellowship of officers of the Continental Army who served in the Revolutionary War.

Now in its third century, the Society promotes public interest in the American Revolution through its library and museum collections, exhibitions, programs, publications, and other activities. It is the oldest hereditary society in North America.

The concept of the Society of the Cincinnati was that of Major General Henry Knox. The first meeting of the Society was held in May 1783 at a dinner at Mount Gulian (Verplanck House) in Fishkill, New York, before the British evacuation from New York City. The meeting was chaired by Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, and the participants agreed to stay in contact with each other after the war.

Membership was generally limited to officers who had served at least three years in the Continental Army or Navy; it included officers of the French Army and Navy above certain ranks. Officers in the Continental Line who died during the War were also entitled to be recorded as members, and membership would devolve to their eldest male heir. Members of the considerably larger fighting forces comprising the Colonial Militias and Minutemen were not entitled to join the Society.

Later in the 18th century, the Society's rules adopted a system of primogeniture wherein membership was passed down to the eldest son after the death of the original member. Present-day hereditary members generally must be descended from an officer who served in the Continental Army or Navy for at least three years, from an officer who died or was killed in service, or from an officer serving at the close of the Revolution. Each officer may be represented by only one descendant at any given time, following the rules of primogeniture.

(The rules of eligibility and admission are controlled by each of the 14 Constituent Societies to which members are admitted. They differ slightly in each society, and some allow more than one descendant of an eligible officer.)