113. Rare volume from Thomas Jefferson’s personal library – The Memoirs of the Duke of Sully – signed with his secret mark. Memoires de Maximilien de Bethune, Duc de Sully, Principal Ministre de Henri le Grand;… Nouvelle Edition…. Londres [but actually Paris], 1767. Volume IV. 12mo, contemporary French mottled calf gilt, morocco spine label. Thomas Jefferson’s copy of The Memoirs of the Duke de Sully, with Jefferson’s manuscript initial “T” in front of the printed letter “I” on page 187 and his manuscript initial “I” written after the printed letter “T” on page 427. This volume was originally sold as a set of eight volumes by Hammer Galleries in 1941 as part of the sale of books from William Randolph Hearst’s library. Jefferson’s initials, as here, are found in most of his own books, which are rarely ever seen on the market. Binding worn, occasional foxing, some light tanning. Overall, very good condition, in unrestored contemporary French calf-gilt.

Thomas Jefferson never used a bookplate to distinguish the more than 8,000 volumes he assembled during a lifetime of avid book collecting. Instead, he employed other identifying devices, such as the initials “T.I.”, so that even today a cursory glance at a volume marked by Jefferson will enable one to distinguish it not only as Jefferson’s, but probably to assign it to one of three distinct collecting periods. The initials “T.I.” with the block letter “I”, identifies this volume as one from Jefferson’s third personal library, the Poor Library (1815-26).

Sowerby notes that Sully’s Memoires “are usually included in Jefferson’s lists of recommended historical reading.” Sowerby further notes that the first set that Jefferson owned, the set that was part of the library he sold the to Library of Congress, was the 1778 edition, purchased from Frullé in September, 1788, and noted as “8 vol. in 12, br. 16.” The set from which this volume originated, was almost certainly purchased by Jefferson to replace the set sold to the Library of Congress in 1815. This set is listed in the 1829 auction catalogue of Jefferson’s third personal library (item 75: 8 volumes, 12mo), but it was apparently kept by Thomas Jefferson Randolph.

It is not surprising that Jefferson would recommend Sully’s memoirs as part of a course of historical reading, or that he would be sure to have a set at hand for himself—the two men shared several common notions. Maximilien de Bethune, duc de Sully (1560-1641) served King Henry IV of France in several capacities, as an army officer, engineer, Superintendent of Finances, and as a confidential advisor. As did Jefferson, Sully strongly favored agriculture over industry as an economic base, and encouraged its expansion. He also encouraged stock raising and forbade the destruction of forests. In order to facilitate trade, Sully encouraged internal improvements, sponsoring canals, roads, and bridges, and he abolished export fees on grains and wine. The first portion of Sully’s memoirs were originally published in 1638, and the work was translated into several languages and reprinted often.

Jefferson compiled three substantial libraries in his lifetime, but books from his collection are exceptionally scarce on the market. To find a set of books that Jefferson thought of so highly, and with whose author he was in such agreement, is rare indeed. Sowerby, Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson, 199.

Provenance:
1. Thomas Jefferson
2. Thomas Jefferson Randolph as was noted in a separate volume from the original set “Th:J/Edge Hill? Virginia”
3. Sarah N. Randolph penciled signature on slip, also unidentified floor plan separate volume 
4. William Randolf Hearst sold at auction: 
5. Hammer Galleries, Gimbel Bros. Feb 1941 p. 226 item 750, purchased by:
6. Dr. Alice Watson 1941 by descent to
7. An Heir of Dr. Watson $20,000 - $30,000