Fine Books & Manuscripts

[EARLY AMERICAN BOOKPLATES – ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON]. Hawkesworth, John (1715–1773). The Works of Jonathan Swift, from the library of Robert R. Livingston, each volume with his personal bookplates. Edinburgh: printed by Mrs. Mundell, et al, 1778. 18 volumes. 12mo in sixes. First of 4 issues, Scotch editions. Early tree calf, spine compartments ruled with Greek key tooling, morocco spine labels stamped in gilt (few backstrips chipped or dried, endpapers toned with slight offsetting from bookplates, uneven marginal toning to title). Teerink 100. Each volume’s front pastedown is affixed with an early American engraved bookplate (18 total) of Robert R. Livingston, possibly engraved by or attributed to Peter Rushton Maverick (see Hewins p. 145) with his iconic ribbon and wreath style featuring a clipper atop the Livingston family crest with the family motto “Spero Meliora” printed inside a ribbon banner. A SCARCE BOOKPLATE OF A FOUNDING FATHER. Provenance: from the library of Robert R. Livingston. As one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Livingston played an important role in the early development of the newly formed country. He was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence, the administrator for George Washington’s Oath of Office when he assumed presidency in 1789, and the chief negotiator of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.