Details
THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743-1826)
Report of the Secretary of State, on the Subject of Establishing a Uniformity in the Weights, Measures and Coins of the United States. New York: Childs and Swaine, 1790.
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The first systematic federal plan for uniform weights, measures, and coinage, including Jefferson's influential advocacy for decimalization.

In addition to defining the dollar as 100 cents or 10 dimes, Jefferson specified a tenth of a cent unit, a "mill," and that 10 dollars be denominated an "eagle." A landmark early federal imprint, it captures the young republic’s drive to impose scientific order and administrative coherence on its emerging economy. This copy with a contemporary manuscript correction on p.12, "rod" for misprint "bob".

First edition, final, octavo issue. This copy on deluxe, thick paper. There were three earlier issues printed in folio format and corrected on the press. This is the fourth and final version, making it the version approved under Jefferson's supervision. The only other copies on thick paper that we trace in the market records of RBH were a John Carter Brown duplicate sold in 1966 and the George Brinley copy sold in 1881. Evans 22997.

Octavo (197 x 125mm). Printed on thick paper. (Washed and pressed, light stains to title.) Modern half leatherette, spine gilt-lettered.

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