AFFIXED ON THE INNER LABEL A HANDWRITTEN PLATE IN PERIOD INK SCRIPT “PRESENTED BY GEN. WASHINGTON TO COL. LEAR” THREE VOLUMES OF 1798 ENCYCLOPEDIAS.

Revised: 2/3/2010

Additional Information: Also accompanying this lot is a letter from the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association dated August 31, 1956 which indicates in the Athenaeum Catalog that Washington subscribed for two sets and in a letter to Clement Biddle, August 14, 1797 he speaks of having given away one set in boards and wishes the other bound for him.

AFFIXED ON THE INNER LABEL A HANDWRITTEN PLATE IN PERIOD INK SCRIPT “PRESENTED BY GEN. WASHINGTON TO COL. LEAR” THREE VOLUMES OF 1798 ENCYCLOPEDIAS. ENCYCLOPEDIA OR A DICTIONARY OF ARTS, SCIENCES, AND MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE. Phila; Dobson, Vol. 17, (1798); Vol. 18 (1798) & Supplement, Vol. III (1803). With the bookplate of Col. Lear’s Son, Benjamin Lincoln Lear. Folios, bound in calf, each volume with bright and fine red and gold gilt stamped spine labels. Vol 17 & 18 in dark calf, the Supplemental Vol. in a lighter shade. Accompanied by the 9/19/1956 letter by Walter C. Densmore of the Mt. Vernon Ladies Assoc.: “We are very happy to have your confirmation of our belief that the set of American Encyclopedia must be the one given by General Washington to Tobias Lear.” In addition to this document there is another extraordinary document that further affirms conclusively the original ownerships of these encyclopedias. In the papers of Tobias Lear was an itemized handwritten inventory titled “Catalog of Books Received from Washington”. Lear lists the books by title and indicates in the right hand column how many volumes. On the first page of this multi-page inventory Lear lists encyclopedia and under volumes 21, clearly and convincingly these same volumes here that have descended from the Lear family. A copy of the original inventory sheets will be included with this lot. These books descended from the Lear family and have always been known as the Washington Encyclopedias. Please Note: There are seven additional volumes of this same encyclopedia offered later in the sale from another branch of the Lear-Decatur family. CONDITION: Small paper adhesions to front cover of Vol. 18, else very good to fine. 9-97953 (5,000-10,000)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2010

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2000	$12,650.00	Revised: 2/3/2010 Additional Information: Also accompanying this lot is a letter from the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association dated August 31, 1956 which indicates in the Athenaeum Catalog that Washington subscribed for two sets and in a letter to Clement Biddle, August 14, 1797 he speaks of having given away one set in boards and wishes the other bound for him. AFFIXED ON THE INNER LABEL A HANDWRITTEN PLATE IN PERIOD INK SCRIPT “PRESENTED BY GEN. WASHINGTON TO COL. LEAR” THREE VOLUMES OF 1798 ENCYCLOPEDIAS. ENCYCLOPEDIA OR A DICTIONARY OF ARTS, SCIENCES, AND MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE. Phila; Dobson, Vol. 17, (1798); Vol. 18 (1798) & Supplement, Vol. III (1803). With the bookplate of Col. Lear’s Son, Benjamin Lincoln Lear. Folios, bound in calf, each volume with bright and fine red and gold gilt stamped spine labels. Vol 17 & 18 in dark calf, the Supplemental Vol. in a lighter shade. Accompanied by the 9/19/1956 letter by Walter C. Densmore of the Mt. Vernon Ladies Assoc.: “We are very happy to have your confirmation of our belief that the set of American Encyclopedia must be the one given by General Washington to Tobias Lear.” In addition to this document there is another extraordinary document that further affirms conclusively the original ownerships of these encyclopedias. In the papers of Tobias Lear was an itemized handwritten inventory titled “Catalog of Books Received from Washington”. Lear lists the books by title and indicates in the right hand column how many volumes. On the first page of this multi-page inventory Lear lists encyclopedia and under volumes 21, clearly and convincingly these same volumes here that have descended from the Lear family. A copy of the original inventory sheets will be included with this lot. These books descended from the Lear family and have always been known as the Washington Encyclopedias. Please Note: There are seven additional volumes of this same encyclopedia offered later in the sale from another branch of the Lear-Decatur family. CONDITION: Small paper adhesions to front cover of Vol. 18, else very good to fine. 9-97953 (5,000-10,000) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2010 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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