Lot 914: KEY, FRANCIS SCOTT

KEY, FRANCIS SCOTT Manuscript account book, 51 leaves of which ca. 40 pages are written in ink (with a few in pencil), 8vo (6 1/2 x 3 3/4 in.; 165 x 95 mm), [Washington, D.C.], 1805-1807; edge staining on first and last leaves from binding, a few inkstains. Contemporary leather, gold-stamped supralibros on upper cover "F.S. Key", in a turquoise half-morocco slipcase; edges worn, upper joint cracked, numerous knife-slits on both covers.

Evidence of Key's law practice in Georgetown.

Francis Scott Key (1749-1843), otherwise renowned for composing the Star Spangled Banner, lived in Georgetown (then a suburb of Washington D.C.) with his wife Mary and eleven children, from 1804 to 1833. There he opened a law practice with his uncle Philip Barton Key.

The present manuscript is Key's rough account book where he noted cash payments and receipts. Some of these are dated, starting with 9 June 1805, the latest being 15 March 1807. The tasks include moving his office, carting, purchase of firewood, salted pork, and payments received of "PBK" (apparently his partner) along with many others. A quote from Samuel Johnson adorns the last page (from Rambler 108): "he that hopes to look back hereafter with satisfaction upon past years, must learn to know the present value of single minutes, and endeavour to let no particle of time fall useless to the ground."