Journals of Congress. Philadelphia: Folwell's Press, David C. Claypoole, John Dunlap and New York : John Patterson, 1782-1801. 
11 volumes, includes FIRST EDITIONS. Volume I  owned by John W. EPPES and attributed to the Library of Thomas Jefferson, with possible inscription.
 
TEN VOLUMES FROM THE ANNUAL JOURNALS OF THE 13 SEPARATELY PUBLISHED VOLUMES. VOLUME I WITH PROVENANCE TO JOHN W. EPPES AND POSSIBLY TO THOMAS JEFFERSON'S LIBRARY. WITH EARLY COLLECTED PRINTINGS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION.

Journals of Congress: Containing Their Proceedings from September 5, 1774, to January 1, 1776. Volume I. Philadelphia: Folwell's Press, 1800. Contemporary blue paper-covered boards rebacked with yellow cloth tape. Second edition. Provenance: Thomas Jefferson, attributed (bookseller description, unsigned note); John Wayles Eppes (signed in pencil to title page "(Jno. W. Eppes"), by descent, to Cooper's Old Bookstore, Richmond, VA, 1 December 1956 (bookseller receipt tipped in to inner front board), to Harry A. Kenton.

Bookseller receipt from Cooper's Old Book Store in Richmond, Virginia reads: "1 set. 12 vols. Journal of the U.S. 1774+ From the Library of Thomas Jefferson through the Epes [sic] family. Books turned over to Adkins + Co. for binding." The receipt here lists 12 volumes, with 11 present here (the set lacks volumes X and XIII). Most volumes retain the same contemporary blue paper-covered boards (see descriptions for each volume). Volume I is the only volume with an ownership inscription by Eppes. Editions are mixed and with various provenance (see description for each volume). 

An inscription to inner front board of Volume I reads: "1. Emission of paper by Congress. p. 118. 2000-[illeg.] 8. D. 7. 6. 5. 4. 2. 1. 49.000 Bills each [illeg.] 800. $20 dollars." While unsigned, the inscription bears clear resemblance to Thomas Jefferson's handwriting, note the letter forms of the capitals E and C, lowercase p, s, among others, and the peculiar number '8.' The reference to p. 118 prints a resolution 23 June 1775 regarding "the number and denomination of the bills to be emitted".

John Wayles Eppes (177-1823) was Jefferson's nephew through his mother's half-sister and Thomas Jefferson's wife, Martha, and became Jefferson's son-in-law when he married his daughter Mary Jefferson at Monticello. Eppes was a staunch supporter of Jefferson and the two corresponded throughout their lifetimes. At Jefferson's suggestion, he became a successful lawyer, and planter, as well as representing Virginia in the US House of Representatives (1803-1811, 1813-1815) and Senate (1817-1819.

Journals of Congress: Containing Their Proceedings from January 1, 1776, to December 31, 1776. Volume II. Philadelphia: Folwell's Press, 1800. Disbound, with modern boards and yellow cloth tape, detached. Third Edition. 

[Journals of Congress, Containing the Proceedings From January 1st, 1777, to January 1st, 1778.]Volume III. N.p.: N.p., [1800]. (Lacking title page.) Rear board contemporary blue paper covered pasteboard, modern front board, yellow cloth tape rebacking. FIRST OR SECOND EDITION, with 603+xii pages. The third printing by Folwell reduced page count to 468+18.

Journals of Congress, Containing the Proceedings from January 1st, 1778, to January 1st, 1779. Volume IV.  Philadelphia: David Claypoole, n.d. Contemporary boards rebacked with yellow cloth tape. FIRST EDITION, with 748+lxxxix+[4]. Provenance: Richard Bland Lee (1761-1827, ink signature to title page); Alice M. Reading, to Maryland Historical Society (bookplate dated January 1926).

Richard Bland Lee (1761-1827) was also a Virginia planter and politician from a  prominent family and a contemporary of Eppes and Jefferson. He represented Virginia in the US House of Representatives from 1789 to 1795. Here, Volumes IV, VII, and XII bear his ownership signature. 

Journals of Congress: Containing Their Proceedings from January 1, 1779, to January 1, 1780. Volume V. Philadelphia: Folwell's Press, 1800. Second edition.

Resolutions, Acts and Orders of Congress, For the Year 1780. Volume VI. [Philadelphia]: John Dunlap, n.d. Contemporary boards rebacked with yellow cloth tape. FIRST EDITION, PRINTED BY DUNLAP. Provenance:  Alice M. Reading, to Maryland Historical Society (bookplate dated January 1926).

Journals of Congress and of the United States in Congress Assembled, For the Year 1781. Volume VII. New York: John Patterson, 1782. Contemporary blue paper-covered boards rebacked with yellow cloth tape (partial loss to blue paper, remnant of a contemporary ink inscription). FIRST EDITION. Provenance: Richard Bland Lee (1761-1827, ink signature to title page).

Journals of Congress: Containing Their Proceedings from November 2, 1782, to November 1, 1783. Volume VIII. Philadelphia: From Folwell's Press, 1800. Contemporary blue paper covered board, modern rear board, yellow cloth rebacking. Second edition.

Journals of Congress: Containing Their Proceedings from November 3, 1783, to June 3, 1784. Volume IX. Philadelphia: Folwell's Press, 1800. Contemporary blue paper-covered boards rebacked with yellow cloth tape.

Journals of Congress: Containing Their Proceedings from November , 1786, to November, 1787. Volume XI. Philadelphia: Folwell's Press, 1801. (Loss and tears to title page.) Modern boards with yellow cloth tape.   Second edition.

Journal of the United States In Congress Assembled: Containing the Proceedings from The 3rd Day of November, 1785. To The 3d Day of November,  1786. Volume XII. [Philadelphia]: John Dunlap, n.d. Contemporary blue paper-covered boards rebacked with yellow cloth tape. FIRST EDITION, PRINTED BY DUNLAP. Provenance: Richard Bland Lee (1761-1827, ink signature to title page); Alice M. Reading, to Maryland Historical Society (bookplate dated January 1926).

Together, 11 volumes (Volume X and XIII are not present), 8vo (135 x 218 mm). Occasional marginalia or page markings. (Toning, brown spotting, some pages loose, minor chipping to edges). Most retain contemporary blue paper-covered boards, each rebacked with modern yellow cloth tape and coverage years ink inscribed, see each volume description for specifics (staining, some worming, wear to edges). 

Sabin 15545


Property from the Kenton Trust