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THE LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1st Edition 1804-1807 Complete 5-Vol. Set W/Atlas

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
THE LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1st Edition 1804-1807 Complete 5-Vol. Set W/Atlas
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Washington Related
“The Life of George Washington” First Edition Complete 5 Volume Set Published 1804 to 1807 with the 1837 Atlas
1804 to 1807 (GEORGE WASHINGTON), “THE LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON,” First Edition by Chief Justice John Marshall, Complete Five Volume Set, Plus 1837 edition Atlas with Maps, Philadelphia, PA, Printed by C.P. Wayne, Very Good to Fine.
This is the rare First Edition Published between 1804 and 1807. A rare Five-Volume Complete Set, plus an 1837 Atlas. Fully Titled: “The Life Of George Washington, Commander In Chief Of The American Forces, During The War Which Established The Independence Of His Country, And First President Of The United States, Compiled under the inspection of the Honourable Bushrod Washington, from Original papers bequeathed to him by his deceased relative, and now in possession of the author. To which is prefixed, an Introduction, containing a compendious view of the Colonies planted by the English on the Continent of North America, from their settlement to the commencement of that War which terminated in their Independence.” Typical lightly worn calf leather covered gold gilt lettered decorative boards on four volumes, while the Atlas has marbled boards with the front cover spine somewhat breaking loose. This important early work on the life and accomplishments of George Washington was written by John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Howes 317; Sabin 44788. It includes the full accompanying Atlas with maps. The frontispiece of the first volume is a steel plate engraving of George Washington after Gilbert Stuart; it is toned where in contact with the tissue paper and engraving on the opposing page, some trivial scattered foxing, yet is overall a very nice superior quality set. Early American has enjoyed offering several complete sets with the Atlas in past decades. Similar quality sets have sold for between $3,200 back in 1999 rising to $6,200 more recently in our EAHA February 9, 2008 Auction, Lot #221. This 5-Volume Set and 1837 edition Atlas are desirable because of the inherent value of the maps, the exceptional reading, and historical value, combined with the general rarity of the complete set. Always in great collector demand. Each volume has a Notes section at rear. The books' contents are in chronological order, with vol. 1 being the Introduction. Condition as follows, should be rebound. Once rebound other booksellers currently asking prices from roughly $7,500 to $15,000 for a full rebound complete set. (6 items).

Volume 1 - 1804 frontis Steel Engraving of Washington, original binding, modest foxing & browning throughout, front cover present yet detached, library stamp “withdrawn” on title page, ex: library mark, all pages complete.

Volume 2 - 1804 original binding, modest foxing & browning, all pages complete married to rest of set, ownership signature from Chase City, Va., some water staining bottom right corner up to around page 100, some heavier browning/foxing, page 359/360 has a burn mark on the corner (perhaps by candle light), with general wear to binding.

Volume 3 - 1804 original binding, modest foxing & browning, binding worn from age, front cover detached, great bookplate for “Lockerman and Scott Booksellers & Stationers, Main Street Carlisle (Pennsylvania) west of the court house have for sale a large collection of books in the various departments of literature, a rare early bookplate, all pages complete with an old library card on back.

Volume 4 - 1805 original binding, ownership to library, front cover a little loose with some wear to binding from age, all pages complete, old library card on back.

Volume 5 - 1807 covers detached, original binding and binding worn, modest foxing & browning, all pages complete, old library card on back.
Within eight years of the death of George Washington in 1799, the first major biography of “the father of his country” was written by John Marshall and published in five volumes.

John Marshall, who later became Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, was induced to the task by the first President’s nephew, Bushrod Washington. Marshall’s own principal biographer, Albert J. Beveridge, has described The Life of George Washington as “to this day the fullest and most trustworthy treatment of that period from the conservative point of view.” In fact, so significant is the biography that Marshall later executed a one-volume abridgment, first published in 1838 and used widely for generations in American schools and colleges.

The Appendices include Washington’s Speech to the Officers of the Army (15 March 1783), Address to Congress on Resigning Commission (23 December 1783), Letter to Congress Transmitting Proposed Constitution (17 September 1787), First Inaugural Address (30 April 1789), and Farewell Address (19 September 1796).