Details
JEFFERSON, Thomas. A Manual of Parliamentary Practice for the Use of the Senate of the United States. Lancaster, Pennsylvania William Dickson, 1813.
12o (169 x 95mm). Modern calf covered boards, spine gilt (scattered spotting). Provenance: Richard Clements (signature on front free endpaper); James Fried (pencil signature on front free endpaper); G. Emlin (stamped signature on title page); autograph annotations on L4 and M2.
Fifth edition (title page incorrectly states third edition). Numerous editions of this work appeared since Jefferson allowed it to be in the public domain. Originally compiled for his own use as vice-president, he published it (as he told Mathew Carey) "on the supposition that it might be of use to others...No right over it was therefore wished to be retained by myself, nor given to others. Its reimpression is consequently open to everyone..." (Jefferson to Carey, 27 Jan. 1812, Christie's 15 November 2011, lot 142). Size alone seemed to matter to Jefferson, and he was pleased that the editions in circulation were no bigger than octavo. "Almost the essence of its value," he said, "is its being accommodated to pocket use." Dickson (1764-1823) was a Jeffersonian partisan in the newspaper wars of the 1790s, when he began publishing the Lancaster Intelligencer and Weekly Advertiser, a post he continued until his death. Sabin 35887.
12o (169 x 95mm). Modern calf covered boards, spine gilt (scattered spotting). Provenance: Richard Clements (signature on front free endpaper); James Fried (pencil signature on front free endpaper); G. Emlin (stamped signature on title page); autograph annotations on L4 and M2.
Fifth edition (title page incorrectly states third edition). Numerous editions of this work appeared since Jefferson allowed it to be in the public domain. Originally compiled for his own use as vice-president, he published it (as he told Mathew Carey) "on the supposition that it might be of use to others...No right over it was therefore wished to be retained by myself, nor given to others. Its reimpression is consequently open to everyone..." (Jefferson to Carey, 27 Jan. 1812, Christie's 15 November 2011, lot 142). Size alone seemed to matter to Jefferson, and he was pleased that the editions in circulation were no bigger than octavo. "Almost the essence of its value," he said, "is its being accommodated to pocket use." Dickson (1764-1823) was a Jeffersonian partisan in the newspaper wars of the 1790s, when he began publishing the Lancaster Intelligencer and Weekly Advertiser, a post he continued until his death. Sabin 35887.