American Revolution
Thomas Jefferson’s Book “Notes on the State of Virginia” The First Hot-Pressed Edition of June 1801 at Philadelphia
(THOMAS JEFFERSON) (1743-1826). American Founding Father, Third President of the United States.
June, 1801-Dated Federal Period, First Hot-Pressed Edition of Thomas Jefferson’s: “Notes on the State of Virginia,” Philadelphia, John Thompson printer for R.T. Rawles, June 1801. An impressive copy having modern full dark brown calf Hardcovers, gilt-ruled ornate spine, red label, raised bands; frontispiece portrait, with its Folding Map, and Chart listing Indian Tribes. Owners title page and flyleaf with signatures. There is a small rubbed hole to title page from attempted erasure of a previous owner's name and a modest archival tape repair to hinge the large folding map which is loose, and to the top inner comer of two preliminary leaves and expected occasional light foxing and minor offsetting to map. This work was published just shortly after Jefferson's Inauguration as President.

This rare book established Jefferson's contemporary reputation as a universal scholar and as a pioneering American scientist. Written primarily in 1781 and was first published in Paris, in French, in 1785. His appendix, written in 1797, was then added. The Rawles' 1801 Edition is considered to be the “Best Edition” of this work of Jefferson's, having the plate image of Madison's Cave instead of the Natural Bridge. Appendices include Charles Thomson's commentary; Jefferson's draught of a fundamental constitution for Virginia; Papers on the murder of Logan's family; Jefferson's First Inaugural Address, 4 March 1801. (Rich: "best edition, having the appendix relating to the murder of Logan's family, printed separately in 1800, and other pieces not in the preceding editions"). Howes J-78; Sabin 35903.

We located a near identical copy which was recently offered and sold at Christie’s, New York, December 2012 which realized $5,625 in competitive bidding. To our best knowledge this example is the only subsequently offered. A very rare desirable, collectable copy.