First Edition of "Plain Truth" by Benjamin Franklin Start Price USD 25,000.00 Current Price USD 25,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, May 15, 2008 End Time Sunday, May 25, 2008 Location Ferndale, WA See more about 'First Edition of "Plain Truth" by Benjamin Franklin' Description   description | condition | payment | shipping | returns     checkpoint auctions present     First Edition of "Plain Truth" by Benjamin Franklin     Up for bidding is a First Edition of "Plain Truth," a pamphlet written and printed by Benjamin Franklin in 1747. This pamphlet contains what is credited as the first political cartoon printed in America. From an historical perspective, this is an important document. The publication and reception of this pamphlet in the Pennsylvania colony is what transformed Benjamin Franklin from a self-described tradesman into a political force, great mind and founding father of the soon-to-be new nation. Many sources cite Franklin's "Join, or Die" cartoon from the Pennsylania Gazette in 1754 as the first political cartoon printed in the Americas. But the woodcut of Aesop's "Hercules and the Wagoneer" in Plain Truth predates that by 7 years. Based on the 22-page length as well as the uncorrected typo on the first page of text (see photo below), this is the first edition of the pamphlet. A second edition was printed the same year with 24 pages and the typographical error corrected. As far as other existing copies are concerned, I have located 12 other copies in libraries. This pamphlet can be found in the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, and in The Pennsylvania State Archives. However, the copy in Pennsylvania is the second edition. This pamphlet comes from the personal estate of the former president of Ben Franklin Savings and Loan in Portland, Oregon. Click on photos to enlarge. All photos are of actual item for sale, taken just prior to listing. I have photographed every page of the pamplet. If you would like to see additional pages, please send an email. enlarge enlarge     enlarge enlarge enlarge enlarge enlarge     Condition: The pamplet is in remarkably good condition for an all-paper publication that is 260 years old. All the pages are present and turn freely. Some material has been worn away at the corners of some pages, but every word and letter is present and legible. There are 4 handwritten markings directly on the pamphlet: A small pencil notation in the upper left corner of the front page, a few numbers similar to a Dewey Decimal notation; The words "Benjamin Franklin" carefully printed beneath "tradesman", maybe in pencil, maybe in ink; The writing, apparently in ink, at the bottom of the front, detailed in one of the photos; A small set of numbers, in pencil, at the top left corner of the back page. There also is deterioration of the corners of many pages as detailed in several photos, as well as some moisture stains. Typographical error - "those those", which was corrected in the second editionenlarge     Payment: Please email to discuss payment. With a transaction of this size, Paypal is possible, but only through special arrangement. Cashier's check or other arrangement would be preferred.     Shipping: Only a shipper with full insurance, or courier, will be considered. Please email to discuss possible arrangements and costs, which will depend on the cost of insurance. Hand-delivery or pickup (western Washington) would be preferred for an irreplacable historical document such as this.   Place a Bid!