Description:

Jefferson Thomas

Thomas Jefferson Signed Book: a Rare, Coveted Volume from His Library, & One that he Recommended for Historical and Legal Reading

Memoires de Maximilien de Bethune, Duc de Sully, Principal Ministre de Henri le Grand' ... Nouvelle Edition ... (Londres, 1767). Vol. V, 12mo, vi, 484 pp., Bound in eloquent marble effect calf boards, with raised bands and gilt embossed titles to the spine. Stunning colorful marbleized end papers. Signed with his ownership initial, "T" beside the printed binder's signature mark ("I") at the bottom of page 185 and again on page 425 where Jefferson adds an "I" to the signature mark "T" (Jefferson's typical style of ownership signature used in books from his library in which he substituted "I" for "J"). Several other volumes have sold on the market; This volume is in better overall condition. Bindings lightly worn, small loss to top and bottom of spine. Slight loss to corner tips ,occasional minor fox mark, some light tanning, overall, very fine condition. Housed in a clam shell of quarter leather, raised bands and gilt titles, which originally held two volumes.

Sowerby notes that Sully's Memoires "are usually included in Jefferson's lists of recommended historical reading." Sowerby further notes that the first set that Jefferson owned, the set that was part of the library he sold to the  Library of Congress, was the 1778 edition which was purchased from Frull in September 1788. The present volume was almost certainly purchased as a set by Jefferson to replace the volumes sold to the Library of Congress in 1815. This volume is from the set listed in the 1829 auction catalogue of Jefferson's library, but it was apparently kept by Thomas Jefferson Randolph, his grandson.

It is not surprising that Jefferson would recommend Sully's memoirs as part of a course of historical reading and that he would be sure to have a copy at hand for himself--the two men shared several common notions. Maximilien de Bethune, duc de Sully (1560-1641) served King Henry IV of France in several capacities, as an army officer, engineer, Superintendent of Finances, and as a confidential advisor. As did Jefferson, Sully strongly favored agriculture over industry as an economic base, and encouraged its expansion. He also encouraged stock raising and forbade the destruction of forests. In order to facilitate trade, Sully encouraged internal improvements, sponsoring canals, roads, and bridges, and he abolished export fees on grains and wine. The first portion of Sully's memoirs were originally published in 1638, and the work was translated into several languages and reprinted often.

Jefferson compiled three substantial libraries in his lifetime, but books from his collection are exceptionally scarce on the market. To find a set of books that Jefferson thought of so highly, and with whose author he was in such agreement, is rare indeed. (Sowerby, Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson, 199).

Volumes from Jefferson's library infrequently appear on the market. We are aware of three that have appeared on the market in the past fifteen years, all signed in the same fashion, and have brought from $25,000 to over $40,000 at auction.

Provenance: Thomas Jefferson; Thomas Jefferson Randolph; Sarah N. Randolph; William Randolph Hearst sold at auction; Hammer Galleries, Gimbel Bros. Feb 1941 p. 226 item 750, purchased by: Dr. Alice Watson 1941 by descent to an Heir of Dr. Watson.

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