Offered here is Volume V of Folwell’s “Journals of Congress Containing Their Proceedings From January 1, 1779 to Jamuary 1, 1780” from the library of Thomas Jefferson through his Nephew John W. Epps. Philadelphia, 1800. Printed by Authority of Congress - 1st Edition. One of 400 copies printed at the direction of Congress.

    This Volume came to us with 11 other Volumes of Folwell’s Journals of Congress from the Library of Thomas Jefferson. Volume I of the Journals included a notation on the inner front board in the hand of Jefferson that read “1. Emission of paper by Congress. p. 118. 2000-[illeg.] 8. D. 7. 6. 5. 4. 2. 1. 49.000 Bills each [illeg.] 800. $20 dollars." While this Volume bears no indication of its provenance, it is unconditionally guaranteed to be from Thomas Jefferson Library and will be accompanied by a modern copy of the inscription by Jefferson that was present in the matching Volume 1. Also included will be a modern copy of the original, 1956 purchase invoice from Cooper’s Old Book Store of Richmond, Virginia which identifies the Volume as being from the Library of Thomas Jefferson “through the Epps Family”.

    This Volume is unconditionally guaranteed to from the Library of Thomas Jefferson and backed by our “no questions asked” return policy and lifetime guarantee of authenticity. Our own Letter of Authenticity with a statement of our lifetime, authenticity guarantee, will be furnished to the winning bidder.

    This rare and original, early Articles of Confederation Era Congressional publication measures approx. 5 1/2” by 8 1/2” and contains all 349 pages of text plus all 34 pages of the Index at the rear. The Volume is bound in 19th century paper boards with a yellow cloth spine.

    This Volume is one of 400 copies printed at the direction of Congress in 1800. Before this comprehensive set was published, congressional proceedings were only published in annual volumes by various printers; these became increasingly difficult for members of Congress to acquire. Congress solved this problem by commissioning Richard Folwell to print 400 sets. The Journals of the Congress formed the only central record of the colonies and the subsequent states. This is a single volume of what was originally a 13-volume set that was a part of the Library of Thomas Jefferson.

     Appearing annually since 1777, The Journals of Congress were first collected in 1800 in an edition of 400 copies. This edition was published when Jonathan Dayton was Speaker of the House, and John Adams was President of the United States. Sabin 15545; Evans 38750.

    John Wayles Eppes (1777-1823) was Jefferson's nephew through his mother's half-sister and Thomas Jefferson's wife, Martha, and became Jefferson's son-in-law when he married his daughter Mary Jefferson at Monticello. Eppes was a staunch supporter of Jefferson and the two corresponded throughout their lifetimes. At Jefferson's suggestion, he became a successful lawyer, and planter, as well as representing Virginia in the US House of Representatives (1803-1811, 1813-1815) and Senate (1817-1819).

    Before this comprehensive, 13 Volume Set was published, congressional proceedings were only published in annual volumes by various printers; these became increasingly difficult for members of Congress to acquire. Congress solved this problem by commissioning Richard Folwell to print 400 sets. The Journals of the Congress formed the only central record of the colonies and the subsequent states. This is a single volume of what was originally a 13-volume set and is exceedingly rare. Single Volumes from this Set without provenance or attribution have been offered for sale in the $600 to $6000+ range by antiquarian booksellers with the only available complete example of Volume VII (the only individual Volume presently being offered for sale) presently being offered for $750.

     This exceptionally rare and important Volume is complete and in very good condition. The Volume includes all text pages, all Index pages and all prelims including the front blank leaves and end papers. As stated above, the Volume is bound in 19th century paper boards with a yellow cloth spine. The block is split between a number of signatures and should be rebound. There is age toning and foxing throughout as one would expect but overall this is a well preserved, complete example of this rare, limited 1st Edition of Folwell’s 1800 printing.

     A rare and historically important, 1800 First, Limited Edition of Volume V of Folwell’s Journals of Congress from the Library of Thomas Jefferson and worthy of a place at the very center of the most advanced, museum quality Historical Americana Library or Collection!!!

     We are proud to offer this important Thomas Jefferson association Volume here, as always, without reserve and with the confidence that it will attract the serious attention that it justly deserves!!