[FRANKLIN, Benjamin].

Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital, from Its First Rise

Item #77884

(FRANKLIN IMPRINT). [FRANKLIN, Benjamin]. Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital, from Its First Rise to the Beginning of the Fifth Month, Called May, 1754. Philadelphia: Printed by B. Franklin and D. Hall, 1754. 40pp. Quarto. Later full speckled calf, triple-ruled in blind, marbled endpapers, T.e.g. Light even toning, else a very good fresh copy. Streeter Sale 956. Miller 587. Evans 7197. Austin 794. Guerra 272. HOWES F-331, "b." Norman 831. NAIP w003479. Hildeburn 1363. Ford 99.The first part of what became a two-part account of the founding and early operation of the first hospital in the British colonies of North America. "The ACCOUNT... describes the plan on which the hospital was founded, rules for admission, rules for the choice of staff, and an 'Abstract of Cases Admitted'" - Streeter. The hospital was incorporated in 1751 with the financial support of Philadelphia citizens and the Assembly. This first section is generally believed to have been written by Benjamin Franklin, who was instrumental in the founding of the hospital and who acted as one of its managers until 1756. A CONTINUATION... was produced as part of a fundraising effort in 1761. Miller notes that "1500 copies were ordered off the press" of this first part, though fewer may actually have been produced.

Price: $20,000.00