A Fine Collection of American Literature and History

London: Printed for J. Johnson, 1779. First edition. 8vo. xi, (i), 567, (7) pp.. Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin, one engraved folding plate, one folding table, and two engraved full-page plates. Full contemporary tree calf, rebacked, corners renewed, red morocco spine label, stamped in blind and in gilt, boards and extremities scratched and moderately worn; all edges trimmed; indiscreet library blindstamp at foot of front blank, bottom of title-page, and bottom of final text leaf; library ink number in upper recto of front blank, bottom of title-page, and bottom of final page of text; open tear upper pp. 329/330. Ford 342; Howes F-330; Sabin 25565

A scarce edition of Benjamin Franklin's collected writings, "the only edition of Franklin's writings (other than his scientific), which was printed during his lifetime." (Ford). This edition was prepared by Benjamin Vaughan, a close friend of Franklin's, with Franklin's knowledge and consent.