[Presidential] Jefferson, Thomas. A Manual of Parliamentary Practice. For the Use of the Senate of the United States

Washington City: Printed by Samuel Harrison Smith, 1801. First edition. 12mo. Unpaginated (197 text pp., plus one blank leaf bound after Index at front). Full 19th-century tan sheep, later red morocco spine label, stamped in blind and in gilt, boards rubbed and soiled, paper library label at foot of spine; all edges trimmed, ink stain on fore-edge of same; title-page toned and soiled, edges of same brittle with scattered creasing and small chipping, old partially removed notation in upper gutter of same; Index leaves toned and brittle; scattered spotting and light dampstaining to text. Sabin 35887; Shaw & Shoemaker 719; Reese, The Federal Hundred 86

Rare first edition of Thomas Jefferson's seminal work on legislative procedure, the first American book on the subject.

Jefferson compiled this manual during his single term as Vice-President, during which he oversaw the proceedings of the Senate. At the time, there was little in the means of written rules in which the chamber conducted itself, and Jefferson, seeking to remedy this as well as minimize criticisms of rulings from the chair, sought to provide for himself and future presiding officers and Senators a guide to parliamentary procedure. Comprehensive in scope, the work is arranged into 53 alphabetical sections, and covers various topics, from absences, quorums, motions, bills, conferences, treaties, impeachment, as well as standards of decorum and rules during debates.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

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Deaccessioned by the Valentine Museum to benefit collections care, preservation, and future acquisitions

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Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Books and Manuscripts

[Presidential] Jefferson, Thomas. A Manual of Parliamentary Practice. For the Use of the Senate of the United States

Books and Manuscripts

[Presidential] Jefferson, Thomas. A Manual of Parliamentary Practice. For the Use of the Senate of the United States

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