[American Revolution] Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress, Held at Philadelphia, September 5, 1774

Philadelphia: Printed by William and Thomas Bradford, 1774. First edition. 8vo. (iv), 144 pp., with half-title. Title-page with woodcut of the seal of Congress. Bound to style in 18th century three-quarter russia over period marbled paper-covered boards, spine decorated in gilt; all edges trimmed; light spotting to text; in full blue morocco fall-down-back box and chemise. Evans 13738; Howes J-263; Hildeburn 3036; Adams, American Controversy 74-84b; Reese, The Revolutionary Hundred 20

Rare first edition of the journals of the first Continental Congress, one of the most fundamental documents relating to the American Revolution--in the preferred issue with 144 pages, with “The Petition to the King” and "General Gage's Letter to the Honourable Peyton Randolph".

In response to the the Intolerable Acts passed by Parliament in the wake of the Boston Tea Party, the various Committees of Correspondence in the North American colonies resolved to hold a Continental Congress in June of 1774. Delegates from twelve colonies (none from Georgia) gathered in Philadelphia in the fall. It included many of the most distinguished men in America: Samuel and John Adams, Roger Sherman, John Jay, Joseph Galloway, John Dickinson, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Edmund Pendleton, and Henry Middleton, among others. The Congress succeeded in taking numerous important steps. On October 14 they adopted a Declaration of Rights, and agreed to an Association governing imports and exports and boycotting British goods. They also drafted and sent an Address to the People of Great Britain and another Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebec.

This issue of the Journals adds twelve highly important pages of text, consisting of the address to King George III (“The Petition to the King”) arguing the American position, asking for redress, and promising loyalty if the status quo of 1764 was restored. This text was agreed upon and voted in executive session on October 1, 1774, and probably reached England in early November. This text does not appear in the 132 pp. issue, probably published in November, because it was still secret. The Petition certainly reached Lord North, but it is unclear if the King ever saw it. By mid-January 1775, as the flow of events progressed and it seemed unlikely there would be a response (there never was), it was published in this issue of the Journals, said to be issued on January 17-18, 1775.

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Darren Winston

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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.

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[American Revolution] Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress, Held at Philadelphia, September 5, 1774

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