[Benjamin FRANKLIN] A Discourse had By the late Reverend and Learned Mr. Ebenezer Pemberton, Previous to the Ordination Of the Reverend Mr. Joseph Sewall, At Boston, September 16, 1713 Affirming and proving the Validity of Presbyterial Ordination. (Boston: Printed by J. Franklin, for S. Gerrish, and Sold at his Shop near the Old Meeting House, 1718) octavo (7 x 4 3/4 in.), [4], 15p. Formerly bound in string, page 15 missing and replaced with reproduction.

FIRST EDITION, published in the same year that 12-year old Benjamin Franklin began his unhappy apprenticeship with his elder brother James. This was certainly one of the publications through which Franklin began to learn the printing trade at his brother’s shop near the Old Meeting House. Franklin signed a nine year indenture, but five years later he’d had enough of his brother’s tyrannical and abusive ways, and set out on his own for Philadelphia.

Scarce. Evans 1996, Sabin 55599. There are three copies at the Library of Congress, 2 of which are bound with A Sermon Delivered by Thomas Prince on Wed, Oct 1, 1718, (with which is it usually found.) The John Carter Brown library has a copy with the Prince sermon as well. A copy that appeared (Christies sale 2514) was also bound with Prince.

Small loss at bottom right of front wrap, some soiling and mounting remnants at bottom, light scattered foxing and toning, else very good.

(EXA 4314) $3,000