ADAMS JOHN Twenty Six Letters upon Interesting Subjects Resp

Sale 2263 - Lot 2

Price Realized: $ 2,640

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 4,000 - $ 6,000

A FOUNDER'S PRIVATELY PRINTED THOUGHTS ON THE REVOLUTION ADAMS, JOHN. Twenty-Six Letters upon Interesting Subjects, Respecting the Revolution of America. 89 pages. 12mo, stitched; lacks half-title, title page detached and worn, some wear to other leaves, but complete with all text, minor dampstaining; uncut. [New York?]: printed for the subscribers, [1789?]

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Additional Details

Second privately printed edition, before publication. These letters, written by Adams in 1780 while serving as a diplomat in Holland, traced the origin and course of the American Revolution. He wrote in response to the questions of a Dutch merchant. Adams expresses great confidence in the ability of the American people to carry this war to a successful conclusion, though he does note that a few substantial loans from European merchants might be appreciated to speed the matter along.
The letters were first printed in a very small edition by Adams in London in 1786. This second edition was followed by the first published edition, which was printed by New York's John Fenno in 1789.
Evans 21624; Howes A66 (both calling this a 1789 New York imprint). Sabin 252 calls this a 1786 London imprint, which is followed by ESTC and the American Antiquarian Society. The last known copy of this edition at auction was at Swann, 20 October 1954, lot 1, but a copy of the even scarcer 1786 first printing brought $90,000 in 2005.