Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States. Published for the Washington Benevolent Society.  New York: J. Seymour, 1808. 

12mo, 4 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. 45 pages. Original marbled paper over boards backed in red morocco, gilt lettered "Washington's Legacy." FIRST EDITION. Sabin 101605. 

Provenance: Thomas Parsen (subscription/membership page dated 1808); William Jones, Sr; John J. Thomas (ownership inscriptions, dated 1826).

An unsophisticated copy of Washington's Farewell Address featuring charming period provenance.

Originally published in 1796, this edition was published on behalf ot he New York City Washington Benevolent Society, a Federalist political organization. Set up in opposition to the Tammany Society, it was instituted on 12 July 1808. The booklet may have been produced in celebration of the founding. Leading up to the outbreak of the War of 1812, more branches were opened, especially in Rhode Island and New Jersey. 

The membership page, partly printed, is completed in manuscript for Thomas Parsen and signed by the Society's President, Isaac Sebring, and Secretary Guilian C. Verplanck (1786-1870). This copy was passed down to an enthusiastic owner, John J. Thomas, who exuberantly inscribed the front free endpapers multiple times, including in mirrored writing. The most lengthy reads: "John J. Thomas is the / [owner] of this Book / given to him by / William Jones Sr. / August the 28th / 1826 A D / in New York." 

 [Books, Bibles, Soldiers' Bibles, Prayer Books, Ephemera, Pamphlets, Publications, Booklets, Memoirs] [Politics, Tammany Hall, George Washington] [American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Colonial America, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe] [War of 1812, James Madison, Battle of Lake Erie, Battle of Plattsburgh, Fort McHenry, Battle of New Orleans, Treaty of Ghent, Andrew Jackson]  

Lacking frontispiece portrait of Washington.