Lot Essay
MacManus list at $2,000
![[FRANKLIN PRINTING]. Partly printed document, a receipt for papers relating to prize vessels. [Passy: Printed by Benjamin Franklin, 1778]. Livingston, 24. A fine copy.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2011/NYR/2011_NYR_02514_0163_000(franklin_printing_partly_printed_document_a_receipt_for_papers_relatin082007).jpg?w=1)
Details
[FRANKLIN PRINTING]. Partly printed document, a receipt for papers relating to prize vessels. [Passy: Printed by Benjamin Franklin, 1778]. Livingston, 24. A fine copy.
Broadside, 12¼ x 8 in). Text in French. Livingston 24. A mint copy.
MANAGING PRIZE VESSELS: A PASSY IMPRINT. During the Revolutionary War, the U.S. encouraged and even licensed a large number of vessels as privateers, authorizing them to seize vessels and cargoes of "les ennemis des Etats Unis." The orderly and equitable division of the often valuable cargoes of these licensed pirates required careful documentation, as evidenced by the information requested here, in an unused certificate, printed in small quantities for Franklin during his Passy residence. "Any piece of printing done at Passy is important, for Franklin printed few pieces in small quantities" (Winegrad, The Intellectual World of Benjamin Franklin, p.99).
Broadside, 12¼ x 8 in). Text in French. Livingston 24. A mint copy.
MANAGING PRIZE VESSELS: A PASSY IMPRINT. During the Revolutionary War, the U.S. encouraged and even licensed a large number of vessels as privateers, authorizing them to seize vessels and cargoes of "les ennemis des Etats Unis." The orderly and equitable division of the often valuable cargoes of these licensed pirates required careful documentation, as evidenced by the information requested here, in an unused certificate, printed in small quantities for Franklin during his Passy residence. "Any piece of printing done at Passy is important, for Franklin printed few pieces in small quantities" (Winegrad, The Intellectual World of Benjamin Franklin, p.99).