ALLEN ETHAN Autograph Letter Signed to the firm of Forbes A

Sale 2123 - Lot 2

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ALLEN, ETHAN. Autograph Letter Signed, to the firm of Forbes & Adams in Canaan, CT, requesting their help in getting delivery of paper for his "Philosophy [which] is now in Press at this place and there is a deficiency of fifteen rims [sic] of paper . . ." 1 page, folded 4to sheet with integral address leaf; uneven toning, dime-sized marginal tear. Bennington, 20 January 1785

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"My Philosophy is now in the press at this place and there is a deficiency of fifteen rim [sic] of paper which if you will supply and send by Mr. Haswell or deliver to such person as he may order. I pledge my Honor that you shall be paid in cash for the same in eight weeks from the date of this letter. I purpose to pay for the paper (if obtained) in five or six weeks but in eight weeks I will do it at all events pray be good enough to credit me for my Honor is a sufficient security for the punctual payment by the time last limited. "
His "Philosophy" [Reason: the Only Oracle of Man] was published at the end of 1784 by Haswell & Russell. They must have run short of paper before the end of the first print run, since a subsequent edition did not come out until much later.
Allen had a long connection with Forbes & Adam. Born in Connecticut, he went into partnership with John Hazeltine and the brothers Samuel and Elisha Forbes in 1762 "To build a Furnice [sic] to turn Iron ore into Pig mottle" in Canaan. He sold his interest in 1785, invested unsuccessfully in a lead mine in Massachussets, and eventually went to Vermont.