Letters From A Farmer in Pennsylvania, to the inhabitants of the British colonies by (Dickinson, John) - 1768

Philadelphia, PA: Printed by David Hall and William Sellers, 1768. First edition (March 1768). Leather bound. Good+, both covers off at the hinges. Bookplates of noted Americanist R.T.H. & H.E. Halsey Original owner's last name has been excised from the title-page and the top of the first sheet, light and ancient pencil writing concerning the edition and author's name on the title-page. Scattered and generally light foxing, pages are solid, several are trimmed close at the top. 3/4 dark leather with gilt chain designs where leather meets the marbled paper-covered boards. Marbled endpapers. 71 pp. The letters were originally published in the Pennsylvania chronicle, December 2, 1767 - February 15, 1768. (The writings of John Dickinson, v. 1, 1895, p. 282-283). Exceedingly rare in this first printing of the first edition. Sold with all faults, as described. This edition was described as Rare in 1937, the last time a first printing was sold at auction. R.T.H. Halsey was the driving force behind the creation of The American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and was an avid collector. Good+, rear cover off at the hinges, front hinge weak. Original owner's last name has been excised from the title-page and the top of the first sheet, light and ancient pencil writing concerning the edition and author's name on the title-page. Scattered and generally light foxing, pages are solid, several are trimmed close at the top.