[Franklin, Benjamin] David Hall. Two original documents signed by Franklin's partner David Hall (1714-1772), one being two pages, 14½ x 9 inches, February 3, 1766, the other one page, folio, January 1, 1771. These two 18th century printing contracts establish Hall & Sellers, which succeeded the printing business of Benjamin Franklin and David Hall. Some slight ink erosion and chipping affecting a few words; professionally strengthened at some folds.
In 1743 Benjamin Franklin hired David Hall, who had worked for Franklin's friend, William Strahan, in London, to assist him in his printing house. In a letter to Strahan a year later, Franklin remarked, "…Mr. Hall…gains ground daily in the esteem of all that know him…He is obliging, discreet, industrious, and honest." Franklin took Hall into partnership in 1748 and the enterprise became Franklin & Hall; on February 1, 1766 Franklin sold his interest in the most important printing business in the colonies to David Hall.
William Sellers had been Hall's journeyman in the printing house. Upon his purchase of this lucrative printing business from his mentor Benjamin Franklin, Hall immediately took Sellers in as a partner, creating the new firm of Hall & Sellers, the most significant printing establishment in the colonies.
In addition to printing all the paper money for the colony of Pennsylvania, Hall & Sellers continued the contract with the state that Franklin had negotiated which included all pamphlets, and official documents. The two documents offered here are the original partnership contracts between David Hall and William Sellers; the first, the original dated February 3, 1766 (two days after Hall purchased the printing house from Benjamin Franklin) and the second dated January 1, 1771, extending the partnership with Sellers for another five years. The first reads in part, "…Articles of Agreement indented and made the Third day of February in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-six between David Hall of the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania, Printer, of the one Part, and William Sellers, of the same Place, Printer, of the other Part. Whereas the said David Hall and William Sellers have determined to enter into a Copartnership, for the carrying on of the Business of Printing in the City of Philadelphia aforesaid; it is therefore covenanted, granted, and agreed by and between the said Parties to these Present, and thye said David Hall and William Sellers do each of them covenant, and mutually agree, each with the other of them in Manner following…that they, the said David Hall and William Sellers, shall be partners in carrying on the Trade and Business of Printing in Philadelphia…for and during the Term of Five Years….That all charges of Types, Paper, Ink, Balls, Tympans, Wool, Oil, and other Things necessary to Printing; together with the charge of all common and necessary Repairs of the Press, and its Appurtenances; and also the charge of Rent…shall be divided into two equal Parts…That all Money received, or to be received, for Printing, or for anything done, or to be done, relating to the Business of Printing aforesaid, by the said David Hall, and William Sellers, either as Gratuity, Premium, Reward, or Salary from the Government or from others, shall be divided into two equal parts…."
A unique pair of contracts documenting the partnership of David Hall and William Sellers who printed all of the currency, papers, and official documents in colonial Pennsylvania as well as continuing
Poor Richard's Almanac, started by Franklin in 1732.
Estimated Value $7,500 - 1,000.
Colonial Americana
