Beschreibung:

[FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN, printer.] Cicero's Cato Major, or His Discourse of Old-Age with Explanatory Notes. Translated by James Logan. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, 1744. 4to (199 x 144 mm). Title printed in red and black. Early 20th century brown morocco elaborately gilt by Riviere and Son, with an autograph pay order signed by James Logan and dated 16 February 1741 tipped in.
Provenance: Charles Walker Andrews (bookplate).
FIRST EDITION, second state (with "only" spelled correctly on page 27). Franklin's Cicero is the pinnacle of Franklin's press, and one of the finest printed books in Colonial America. "The Cato Major is probably Franklin's best-known publication: many think it his most handsome piece of printing, and for a large number of important collectors...it was the only Franklin imprint worth having in their collections" (Miller 347). It is the first classical work to be printed in North America. The translation and notes are by James Logan (1674–1751), the Philadelphia scientist, statesman, bibliophile, and friend of Franklin. Church 949; ESTC W20709; Evans 5361; Ford, page 25; Hildeburn 868; Sabin 13040.