[Jefferson, Thomas] The Formation of the Library of Congress: Scarce Official Senate Report Pertaining to the Sale of Former President Thomas Jefferson's Library to the United States Congress

Washington City: Printed by Roger C. Weightman, 1814. First edition. 8vo. (4) pp. Likely disbound; separated along center fold; wear and light creasing along edges; light foxing.

Scarce official Senate report 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, in Virginia. 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. This 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 books were shipped beginning in April 1815, with the last wagonload arriving in Washington that May.

Scarce, according to online records, only two other copies of this report have come to auction since the Streeter Sale, the last copy in these very rooms in 2023.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

[Jefferson, Thomas] The Formation of the Library of Congress: Scarce Official Senate Report Pertaining to the Sale of Former President Thomas Jefferson's Library to the United States Congress