A Fine Collection of American Literature and History

Two Reports Pertaining to the Sale of Thomas Jefferson's Library to Form the Library of Congress

Report of the Joint Committee, Authorized to Contract for the Library of Mr. Jefferson, Late President of the United States. November 28, 1814
Washington City: Printed by Roger C. Weightman, 1814. First edition. Printed by order of the Senate of the United States. 8vo. (4) pp. Separated along center fold.

Together with:

Report of the Library Committee on the Expediency of Providing a Library Room, and for Transporting the Library Lately Purchased of Thomas Jefferson, Esq. to the City of Washington. February 20, 1815
Washington City: Printed by Roger C. Weightman, 1815. First edition. Printed by order of the Senate of the United States. 8vo. (4) pp. Disbound, separating along center fold. Each report in red cloth slip case and chemise.

Together with:

Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson
Washington, (D.C.): The Library of Congress, 1952-59. In five volumes. First edition. 4to. Publisher's full terracotta buckram.

Scarce collection of two official Senate reports pertaining to the sale of former President Thomas Jefferson's library to the United States Congress. During the War of 1812, the British entered Washington, D.C. and set fire to the Capitol building, destroying nearly all of the 3,000-plus-volume-library within. Jefferson was particularly distressed at the news and offered to sell his library to Congress to help them rebuild. At the time Jefferson had the largest personal collection of books in the country, held at his plantation, Monticello. He had planned to offer this library to Congress upon his death, but considering the circumstances and Congress's likely inability to rebuild on their own, he offered his at any valuation and payment terms Congress saw fit. His only stipulation was that they accept the library in full. The first report, dated November 28, 1814, presents the bill to the Senate for Jefferson's 6,487 volume library, for a price of $23,950. The second report, dated February 20, 1815, is a request for additional funds to build a reading room and to help cover the costs of transporting the library from Monticello. The books were shipped beginning in April, 1815, with the last wagonload arriving in Washington that May.