| Sumario: | The article focuses on the historical significance and distribution of the first volume of the *Transactions of the American Philosophical Society*, the oldest scientific periodical in the United States, published in March 1771. It details the printing process, including the number of sheets used and the costs associated with its production, revealing that approximately 557 copies were likely printed. The Society aimed to distribute these volumes widely, with notable efforts made by Dr. William Smith to send copies to prominent figures and institutions in both the colonies and Europe, including Benjamin Franklin. Despite the extensive distribution efforts, many copies remain unaccounted for, highlighting the challenges in tracing the publication's early history.
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