2 pieces.
Documents Signed. Hall, David: Articles of Agreement for partnership in the business of printing. Philadelphia, February 3, 1766. 2 pp., folio (14 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches); stress & separations along horizontal folds - negligible paper loss. With Hall's wax seal & signatures of Joseph Peacock & Alex Stuart, witnesses.
"Articles of Agreement, indented and made the third day of February in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six, between, David Hall, of the City of Philadelphia, in the Province of Pennsylvania, Printer,..., and William Sellers,..., Printer... Wheras the said David Hall, and William Sellers, have determined to enter into a partnership, for the carrying on the business of Printing in the City of Philadelphia..."
William Sellers' copy of his first five year equal partnership agreement with David Hall for the printing business founded by Benjamin Franklin. David Hall (b. Edinburgh, Scotland, 1714; d. Philadelphia, Pa., 1772). Came to America, 1743, as Journeyman in Franklin's shop. Was Franklin's partner, 1748-66, and carried on the business as Hall & Sellers, after Franklin sold his interest in 1766. William Sellers (b. England, 1725; d. Philadelphia, Pa., 1804), continued the firm after Hall's death in 1774 in partnership with Hall's sons until his own death in 1804. The firm notably published the Pennsylvania Gazette (founded by Franklin) until 1804 & Continental Currency during the Revolution. * With the Manuscript Agreement to continue the partnership of David Hall & William Sellers for another five years, Philadelphia, January 21, 1771, 1 p., folio; several tears & chips with loss of several words of text. William Seller's copy, signed by David Hall, with paper seal.