Up for sale/sale is a fascinating piece of 19th-century Americana: an original1816 First American Editioncopy ofA New and Complete Dictionary of Arts and Sciences(Volume II) by G. Gregory. Published in Philadelphia by Isaac Peirce, this heavy quarto is a direct window into the intellectual life of the early United States.⭐ FEATURED HIGHLIGHT: HISTORIC "WILLIAM RANKIN" SIGNATUREThe standout feature of this specific volume is its incredible, authentic provenance. The formal typographic title page prominently features an elegant, period-correct ink signature reading"William Rankin".

• Historical Context:In the early 1800s, an expansive three-volume scientific dictionary was a massive financial investment, owned only by wealthy citizens, academics, or doctors. Research indicates leading candidates for this signature includeDr. William Rankin (1795–1872), a prominent Pennsylvania physician who would have been entering his medical studies right around 1816, or the notableRankin merchant/landowning familyof early Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic.
• Collector Value:This signature provides a beautiful "fingerprint" of early American genealogy and ownership history. It makes the book an exceptional display piece or artifact for collectors specializing in early American libraries, Pennsylvania history, or 19th-century educational texts.

Interior Condition & Salvage Potential:

• Title Pages:Both the decorative title page (featuring a gorgeous woodcut/engraving of the early American Eagle) and the formal typographic title page are intact, complete, and remarkably clean given the book's 210-year age.
• Text & Layout:The text block remains tightly bound. The pages show expected age-toning and moderate foxing (brown spotting) typical of early 1800s rag paper, but the text and typography remain perfectly crisp and highly legible.
• Perfect for Parts/Framing:Because the interior text is well-preserved, this volume is an ideal candidate for harvesting historic 19th-century text, typography, or any accompanying copperplate illustrations for individual framing and display.

Binding & Exterior Condition Report (PLEASE READ):

• SOLD AS-IS / FOR PARTS OR RESTORATION:Please note that the original leather binding is in poor, heavily deteriorated condition.
• It is suffering from advancedred rot(the leather has oxidized over the centuries, making it powdery, flaky, and prone to shedding an orange residue when handled).
• The gold-stamped title labels on the spine are missing, and the outer edges are raw. This book is a fantastic candidate for a professional rebind, a bookbinding student practicing period restoration, or a collector happy to keep it in an archival box for display.

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