Description:

A rare, coveted, twice-signed volume from the library of Thomas Jefferson, one of his most recommended. Excellent association, including what is likely a manuscript floor plan of Monticello annotated by Jefferson's Great-Granddaughter, originally included in the volume which is additionally signed by her in her fathers name, "Th. J. Randolph."

"Memoires de Maximilien de Bethune, Duc de Sully, Principal Ministre de Henri le Grand;ƒ Nouvelle Editionƒ (Londres, 1767). Vol. 3, 12mo, x, 565 pp., bound in contemporary French mottled calf gilt, morocco spine labels. Singed with his ownership initial, "T" beside the printed binder's signature mark ("I") at the bottom of page 183 and again on page 423 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"). Blank free endpaper bears the name of Jefferson's grandson, Thomas Jefferson Randolph (1792-1875) ("Th. J. Randolph/Edge Hill/Virginia.") accomplished in the hand of his daughter (and Thomas Jefferson's great-granddaughter), Sarah N. Randolph (1839-1892). Bound in contemporary calf boards with ribbed, titled spine. Bindings rubbed at edges, with front board cracked at spine with minor wear to front pastedown, small loss to top of spine, occasional minor fox mark, some light tanning, some overall very good condition.

Of great interest is a small folded note on lined paper, 6.75" x 4", much of which is in the hand of Jefferson's great-granddaughter, Sarah N. Randolph (1839-1892), the author of the 1871 volume, The Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson (1871). Likely composed as a child, she writes her name several times on the right hand side of the sheet "Sarah N. Randolph" occasionally adding the name of her home at Edgehill in Albermarle County, Virginia.

On the left side of the folded sheet is a floor plan, accomplished primarily in pencil with two lines in ink, with notes in an unknown hand noting the location of "Mother's Room," a "Dressing Room," the "Library," and "Parlor." The sketch possibly depicts a portion of Jefferson's mansion at Monticello immediately after his death when his eldest daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph lived there for a brief period. Estranged from her husband, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, Martha moved back to Monticello from her home at Edgehill to care for her elderly father in the final years of his life. The drawing may have been accomplished by one of Sarah Randolph's aunts or uncles.

Upon Jefferson's death, Martha inherited Monticello, and her son, Thomas Jefferson Randolph served as executor. She spent a short time in the mansion before taking up residence in several locales including Washington, Boston, and finally at the family home at Edge Hill, near Monticello, where she died in 1836. (See Kierner, Martha Jefferson Randolph, Daughter of Monticello, 2012)

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 the to Library of Congress, was the 1778 edition, 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, or that he would be sure to have a set 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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