The Alexander Hamilton Collection of John E. Herzog

(Philadelphia: Francis Childs and John Swaine, 1794). One sheet, 13 1/4 x 8 1/4 in. (336 x 209mm). Printed document of the "Third Congress of the United States: At the First Session..." Three very small holes left side, presumably from original thread; untrimmed; light offsetting recto and verso. A fine example. Evans 27876

A rare imprint of the Third Congress. Since the passage of the Lighthouse Act in 1789 (see lot 8) the construction and maintenance of lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and piers, was key to the United States's financial stability during the early republic, as most tax revenue was generated through tariffs on imports and tonnage duties. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton was a keen supporter of these crucial pieces of infrastructure, as they were the nuts and bolts that allowed his financial vision of the nation to function properly by facilitating the ease and growth of trade and domestic industry.

We can locate only one other copy sold at auction, in 1976.