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FRANKLIN, Benjamin. Economie, in Journal de Paris, Numéro 117. Paris: de Quillau, Lundi, 26 Avril 1784, pp.511-513.
4to, marbled boards with gilt-lettered morocco label on upper cover.
FIRST PRINTING OF FRANKLIN'S WONDERFUL ESSAY ON THE WISDOM OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME. With his characteristic comic touch, Franklin tries to instruct Parisians about the savings to be had from using more daylight sunshine. He claims--with mock scientific excitement--the discovery of the fact that the sun rises between 6 and 8 a.m. during the six months of the year between March and September. "You certainly have many readers of both sexes who, like me, have never seen the sun before 11 or 12 o'clock. I have no doubt these people are also surprised to hear that the sun rises so early, as I have seen myself. They will be no less surprised to learn that it gives light at the same moment it arises; but I have proof of the fact." For three days following, Franklin reports, he replicated his "experiment" of arising at 6 a.m. and "There is no possibility of doubt...I have consistently obtained the same results." A wonderful example of Franklin playing off his scientific image to make a useful and humorous suggestion in aid of public economy. "For I love economy exceedingly." A VERY SCARCE FRANKLIN TITLE. Not listed in Ford. Later collected in Works (1818) with a prim translation, removing the reference to "both sexes."
4to, marbled boards with gilt-lettered morocco label on upper cover.
FIRST PRINTING OF FRANKLIN'S WONDERFUL ESSAY ON THE WISDOM OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME. With his characteristic comic touch, Franklin tries to instruct Parisians about the savings to be had from using more daylight sunshine. He claims--with mock scientific excitement--the discovery of the fact that the sun rises between 6 and 8 a.m. during the six months of the year between March and September. "You certainly have many readers of both sexes who, like me, have never seen the sun before 11 or 12 o'clock. I have no doubt these people are also surprised to hear that the sun rises so early, as I have seen myself. They will be no less surprised to learn that it gives light at the same moment it arises; but I have proof of the fact." For three days following, Franklin reports, he replicated his "experiment" of arising at 6 a.m. and "There is no possibility of doubt...I have consistently obtained the same results." A wonderful example of Franklin playing off his scientific image to make a useful and humorous suggestion in aid of public economy. "For I love economy exceedingly." A VERY SCARCE FRANKLIN TITLE. Not listed in Ford. Later collected in Works (1818) with a prim translation, removing the reference to "both sexes."