FRANKLIN, Benjamin (1706-1790), printer – John RUTTY (1697-1775). The Liberty of the Spirit and of the Flesh Distinguished: in an Address to those Captives in Spirit among the People called Quakers, who are commonly called Libertines. Philadelphia: B. Franklin and D. Hall, 1759.

First American edition, printed by Benjamin Franklin and preserved in the original paper wrappers, of a rare Quaker tract. “Late in 1759 the Society of Friends in Philadelphia ordered the publication of this piece in an edition of 4,000 copies” (Miller). The printing was completed in mid-June 1760; 1000 copies remained in Philadelphia and the remainder were distributed to Quaker Meetings. Originally printed in Dublin in 1756, its author was a physician whose spiritual diary recording his every minor sin (such as an “indulgence in bed an hour too long”, or being “a little swinish at dinner”). It was posthumously published to the delight of Dr Johnson who laughed heartily at its language of self-condemnation. Miller 719; Sabin 74499.

Octavo (183 x 120mm). (Some spotting and browning, a few leaves a little chipped at corners.) Original plain sewn paper wrappers (frayed and chipped, somewhat stained and browned). Provenance: Samuel [?]Lang (ownership inscription dated 1760 on upper wrapper) – Laird U. Park, Jr., 1922-2001 (his sale Sotheby’s, New York, 29 November 2000, lot 117).