American Revolution
Francis Hopkinson’s “The Battle of the Kegs” Poem 1866 Special Printing Extra-Illustrated With Six Early Engravings
(FRANCIS HOPKINSON - AMERICAN REVOLUTION). Hopkinson, Francis. The Battle of the Kegs. 9.5” x 6.5”, 4to, Full Later Morocco Hardcovers, Gold gilt-lettered spine, minor wear. (Philadelphia), Oakwood Press, 1866, Choice Extremely Fine.


1866-Dated, Special Printed Book, entitled: “The Battle of the Kegs,” by Francis Hopkinson, Oakwood Press (Philadelphia), 1866, Choice Extremely Fine. This extremely rare, special printed edition is also Extra-Illustrated with Six Early Historic Engravings. It measures 9.5” x 6.5” having original 19th century Half Calf & Marbled Morocco Boards and a Gold gilt-lettered spine. This example being No. (00) of 82 copies (not numbered), printed on heavy laid paper. Some very minor wear to the bottom cover edge, while the interior is crisp, near mint. The only other example we have located was in lower quality, sold by PBA galleries in 1999. A light pencil notation on the front paper indicates a previous past price or cost of $1,250.

This ballad recounts Colonial times in Revolutionary War Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1778 when the Americans sent kegs of gunpowder floating down the Delaware River, hoping to damage the British ships in the harbor. A later, 1964 childrens book was published of the same name. A very rare book, this current copy also being Extra-Illustrated with Six Early Historic Engravings. The very first in 35 years we have offered.

A limited-edition (one of 82) printing on blue paper of a humorous poem on a Revolutionary War incident.

Extra-illustrated with the following: 6 engravings of related figures and scenes. Sabin 32977.
Francis Hopkinson, signer of the Declaration of Independence, signs this bill of exchange as Treasurer of Loans. Francis Hopkinson (September 21, 1737 – May 9, 1791), an American author, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from New Jersey.

He later served as a federal judge in Pennsylvania. His supporters believe he played a key role in the design of the first American flag. Francis Hopkinson was born at Philadelphia in 1737, the son of Thomas Hopkinson and Mary Johnson. He became a member of the first class at the College of Philadelphia (now University of Pennsylvania) in 1751 and graduated in 1757, receiving his masters degree in 1760, and a doctor in law (honorary) in 1790.

He was secretary to a Provincial Council of Pennsylvania Indian commission in 1761 that made a treaty with the Delaware and several Iroquois tribes. In 1763, he was appointed customs collector for Salem, New Jersey. Hopkinson spent from May 1766 to August 1767 in England in hopes of becoming commissioner of customs for North America. Although unsuccessful, he spent time with the future Prime Minister Lord North and his half-brother, the Bishop of Worcester Brownlow North, and painter Benjamin West. After his return, Francis Hopkinson operated a dry goods business in Philadelphia and married Ann Borden on September 1, 1768. They would have five children. Hopkinson obtained a public appointment as a customs collector for New Castle, Delaware on May 1, 1772.

He moved to Bordentown, New Jersey in 1774, became an assemblyman for the state's Royal Provincial Council, and was admitted to the New Jersey bar on May 8, 1775. He resigned his crown-appointed positions in 1776 and, on June 22, went on to represent New Jersey in the Second Continental Congress where he signed the Declaration of Independence.

He departed the Congress on November 30, 1776 to serve on the Navy Board at Philadelphia. As part of the fledgling nation's government, he was Treasurer of the Continental Loan Office in 1778; appointed Judge of the Admiralty Court of Pennsylvania in 1779 and reappointed in 1780 and 1787; and helped ratify the Constitution during the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

On September 24, 1789, he was nominated by President George Washington to the newly created position of Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania. He was confirmed by the United States Senate, and received his commission, on September 26, 1789.

As a Federal Judge, Hopkinson died in Philadelphia at the age of 53 from a sudden epileptic seizure. He was buried in Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia. He was the father of Joseph Hopkinson, member of the United States House of Representatives and Federal judge.