HOPKINSON, Francis (1737-1791). The Miscellaneous Essays and Occasional Writings. Philadelphia: T. Dobson, 1792.

Extremely rare complete, uncut in original boards—the first collected edition of the works of Declaration of Independence Signer Francis Hopkinson. While perhaps best known for his contributions to the politics of the Early Republic, Hopkinson was also an accomplished and wide-ranging poet, essayist, and composer. This collected edition of his work, published after his sudden death, reflects his playful and diverse mind, including essays on everything from politics to typography as well as poetic compositions and guides to tuning harpsicords. A beautiful set in original condition of a monument to the diversity and good-humor of the 18th-century American mind. It is rare at auction and most often encountered as individual volumes; the last complete set recorded by RBH was in 1971. According to Evans, the author's name is misspelled on the title page in volumes 1 and 2, suggesting that this could perhaps be a second issue. Evans 24407; Sabin 32979.

Three volumes, octavo (224 x 140mm). 2 folding plates in volume 1, and one engraving in text (a few stains in vol 1, leaf P4 with closed tear across text, some toning in the Poems section of vol 3). Contemporary boards with original printed labels, untrimmed and with a few gatherings unopened (spines restored, with a few chips to spine panels and printed labels); modern cloth chemise and slipcase.