The Pennsylvania Gazette. Containing the Freshest Advices Foreign and Domestick. Numb. 1011. Philadelphia, PA: Benjamin Franklin and David Hall Printing Office. 28 April 1748. 4pp, approx. 8 1/4 x 12 in., bifolium. Woodcut masthead featuring in part the Penn family coat of arms, a shield crossed horizontally by a fess or band and the motto "Mercy / Justice." 

First acquired by Benjamin Franklin from printer Samuel Keimer in 1729, under Franklin's direction The Pennsylvania Gazette soon became one of Colonial America's most successful newspapers. Just months before this issue was published, Franklin had entered into partnership with David Hall, a Scottish printer who had apprenticed under Franklin since 1744, and who was to manage day-to-day operations of the paper. Franklin remained involved providing editorial input and retaining a financial interest.

Published during the final months of the War of the Austrian Succession, known in the colonies as King George's War, the issue has a heavy focus on international news from Europe. Extracts from Annapolis, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia contain news of ship arrivals, departures, and privateers. Advertising was a key source of revenue for the Gazette. In this issue as in others, a substantial amount of space is dedicated to advertisements for goods, services, real estate, as well as lost and found, including for indentured servants. Among the goods "Just imported in the Ship Burlington, Captain Smyter, from London, and to be sold by D. Hall, at the Post-Office" are a wide arrays of books which are listed by title. Elsewhere in the issue a woodcut sketch of this same sailing vessel accompanies notice of "The Ship Burlington" which would soon depart for its return trip to London. Several advertisements reference "Run away" indentured servants, including one seeking an "Irish servant lad, named Cornelius Sullivan, but will be very likely to change it; is about 20 years of age, middle sized, a little freckled...Whoever takes up and secures said servant, so that his master may have him again, shall have Five Pounds reward...." Also of interest is Franklin's request for overdue payment from subscribers: "Philadelphia April 14, 1748. ALl Persons indebted to B. Franklin for a year's Gazette, or more, are desired to pay."

An early issue of one of Colonial America's most important newspapers, with a fine Benjamin Franklin association.

[Newspapers, Publishing, Business and Enterprise] [Colonial America, 13 Colonies, Thirteen Colonies] [Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]

Disbound, light creasing, loss at bottom page 3/4 affecting text.