![[CONSTITUTIONS]. Constitutions des Treize Ètats-Unis de L'Amèrique. À Philadelphie; et se Trouve a Paris: Ph. D. Pierres, and Pissot, 1783.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2011/NYR/2011_NYR_02514_0173_000(constitutions_constitutions_des_treize_etats-unis_de_lamerique_a_phila022220).jpg?w=1)
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[CONSTITUTIONS]. Constitutions des Treize Ètats-Unis de L'Amèrique. À Philadelphie; et se Trouve a Paris: Ph. D. Pierres, and Pissot, 1783.
8vo (7¾ x 5 in). (2), 540 pp. Contemporary calf-backed paper boards, gilt-lettered morocco spine label, spine gilt, morocco label). (Spine ends chipped, corners worn, interior very clean.) Howes C716; Livingston, Franklin and His Press at Passy, pp.181-188; Sabin 16118; Streeter Sale 1035
FIRST EDITION. Title-page with circular woodcut Great Seal of the United States (its first use in a printed book). One of only 600 copies printed for Franklin (including 100 large-paper copies). Translated by the Duc de la Rochefoucauld at Franklin's suggestion, it incorporates some 50 footnotes by Franklin. The collection features each of the 13 state constitutions plus the Declaration of Independence (pp.419-425, with all Signers named), the Articles of Confederation, several treaties with France and one with Sweden. Franklin's aims in publishing the edition were expressed in a letter to Thomas Mifflin of 25 December 1783: "The extravagant Misrepresentations of our Political State in foreign Countries, made it appear necessary to give them better Information, which I thought could not be more effectually and authentically done, than by publishing a Translation into French...." The Great Seal, designed by Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson, makes its first book appearance on this titlepage.
8vo (7¾ x 5 in). (2), 540 pp. Contemporary calf-backed paper boards, gilt-lettered morocco spine label, spine gilt, morocco label). (Spine ends chipped, corners worn, interior very clean.) Howes C716; Livingston, Franklin and His Press at Passy, pp.181-188; Sabin 16118; Streeter Sale 1035
FIRST EDITION. Title-page with circular woodcut Great Seal of the United States (its first use in a printed book). One of only 600 copies printed for Franklin (including 100 large-paper copies). Translated by the Duc de la Rochefoucauld at Franklin's suggestion, it incorporates some 50 footnotes by Franklin. The collection features each of the 13 state constitutions plus the Declaration of Independence (pp.419-425, with all Signers named), the Articles of Confederation, several treaties with France and one with Sweden. Franklin's aims in publishing the edition were expressed in a letter to Thomas Mifflin of 25 December 1783: "The extravagant Misrepresentations of our Political State in foreign Countries, made it appear necessary to give them better Information, which I thought could not be more effectually and authentically done, than by publishing a Translation into French...." The Great Seal, designed by Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson, makes its first book appearance on this titlepage.