Description
The mathematical textbook, Traité Élémentaire De Mathématiques by Lemoine D’Essoies, a gift from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison.
Octavo, x, 602pp, [2], [16 plates]. Contemporary French calf, title in gilt over red morocco label, raised bands, decorative spine compartments. Marbled endpapers. Laid-in silk bookmark. A few underlined passages in pencil, generally free of notes or marginalia. Includes half-title and 16 engraved, folding mathematical plates at rear. Some wear and chipping along hinges, small loss at head of the spine, solid text block.
Inscribed on the front free endpaper in pencil: “For Mr. Madison / from Th. J.” An outstanding presentation copy between two Founding Fathers of the United States.
(Provenance: Christie’s: Estate of Mr. John D. Rockefeller III, Lot 954, Sale 23898)
On September 17, 1789, Jefferson wrote to Madison: “I have sent to Havre the following packages, with directions to send them by the first vessel to New York to your address. A box of books… I believe the whole are for you; tho’ should it be otherwise the person’s name will always be found written on or in the book.”
At the time, Jefferson was serving as United States Minister to France, a post he had held since 1785. James Madison was a Representative from Virginia in the First United States Congress, having taken his seat in April 1789. Jefferson was a noted bibliophile, who enjoyed finding unique works for his friends back in the United States, this being one of them.
