Mayer, Brantz

Captain Canot; or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver. Being an Account of the Career and Adventures on the Coast, in the Interior, on Shipboard, and in the West Indies.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1854.

First edition, early issue of the historian’s detailed account of the African slave trade without the misprint on page 191. Octavo, bound in contemporary calf, rebacked, additional vignette title. In very good condition, hinges reinforced.

Cothren, William [William Tecumseh Sherman]

History of Ancient Woodbury, Connecticut, from the First Indian Deed in 1659 to 1854: Including the Present Towns of Washington, Southbury, Bethlem, Roxbury, and a Part of Oxford and Middlebury.

Waterbury, Connecticut : Bronson Brothers, 1854.

Second volume of the first edition of this history of Ancient Woodbury, the location of the Sherman family’s initial establishment in early 1673; from the library of General William Tecumseh Sherman. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated with coats of arms from the Graham and Sherman family. General Sherman and his son Philemon Tecumseh Sherman’s bookplatesContinue reading "History of Ancient Woodbury, Connecticut, from the First Indian Deed in 1659 to 1854: Including the Present Towns of Washington, Southbury, Bethlem, Roxbury, and a Part of Oxford and Middlebury."

Griswold, Rufus Wilmot

The Republican Court of American Society in the Days of Washington.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1854.

First edition of Griswold’s account of the American Republican Court during the presidency of George Washington. Quarto, original publisher’s full morocco with gilt titles to the spine, elaborate stamping to the spine and panels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, illustrated with twenty-one portraits of distinguished women including Mrs. George Washington and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton engravedContinue reading "The Republican Court of American Society in the Days of Washington."

Douglass, Frederick

My Bondage and Freedom.

New York & Auburn : Miller, Orton, & Mulligan, 1855.

Rare first edition of Douglass’ second autobiography. Octavo, original publisher’s brown cloth, with three engraved plates, including the engraved frontispiece from the classic daguerreotype of Douglass. In very good condition. A very nice example, uncommon in this condition.

Douglass, Frederick

My Bondage and Freedom.

New York & Auburn : Miller, Orton, & Mulligan, 1855.

Rare first edition of Douglass’ second autobiography. Octavo, original publisher’s brown cloth stamped in blind with gilt titles to the spine, illustrated with three engraved plates including tissued-engraved frontispiece from the classic daguerreotype of Douglass engraved by John Chester Buttre. In very good condition with light rubbing to the extremities, toning to the frontispiece andContinue reading "My Bondage and Freedom."

Irving, Washington

The Life of George Washington.

New York : G. P. Putnam & Co., 1855-59.

First edition of Irving’s monumental biography of George Washington. Quarto, bound in half crushed red levant with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, illustrated with 47 hand-colored plates including tissue-guarded frontispiece to each volume. One of one hundred and ten numbered copiesContinue reading "The Life of George Washington."

Boynton, C.B. and T.B. Mason

A Journey Through Kansas; with Sketches of Nebraska: Describing the Country, Climate, Soil, Mineral, Manufacturing, and Other Resources.

Cincinnati : Moore, Wilstach, Keys, 1855.

Rare wrapper-bound issue of the second book on Kansas. Octavo, original wrappers, with a folding map of Nebraska and Kansas by Boynton. The pictorial advertisement for the publisher on the rear wrapper features a picture of the establishment. With “Sixth Thousand!” printed at the top of the front wrapper. In good condition with some wear toContinue reading "A Journey Through Kansas; with Sketches of Nebraska: Describing the Country, Climate, Soil, Mineral, Manufacturing, and Other Resources."

Walter Browning; or, The Slave’s Protector. Founded on Fact.

Cincinnati : American Reform Tract and Book Store, 1856.

First edition of this anti-slavery tract. 12mo, original publisher’s cloth, yellow endpapers, engraved frontispiece. In very good condition. Ownership inscription. Uncommon.

Garfield, James A. [Charles Lamb]

The Works of Charles Lamb.

New York : Derby & Jackson, 1856.

Signed on the first free end page in pencil with his ownership signature, “J. A. Garfield, Hiram, Ohio, Sept. 1856.” Garfield’s personal bookplate, “Inter Folia Fructus, Library of James A. Garfield,” is affixed to the front pastedown. Housed in a custom half morocco chemise case. Rare and desirable, from the library of the 20th PresidentContinue reading "The Works of Charles Lamb."

Smith, William A

Lectures on the Philosophy and Practice of Slavery, as Exhibited in the Institution of Domestic Slavery in the United States: With the Duties of Masters to Slaves.

Nashville, TN : Stevenson and Evans, 1856.

First edition of this proslavery argument issued shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spine, ruling and floral tooling blind stamped to the front and rear panels. In very good condition, inscription to the front free endpaper.

Purple, N. H. [Abraham Lincoln; William Herndon]

A Compilation of the Statutes of the State of Illinois, of a General Nature, In Force January 1, 1856. Collated with Reference to Decisions of the Supreme Court of Said State, and to Prior Laws Relating to the Same Subject Matter.

Chicago : Published by Keen & Lee, 1856.

First edition of Purple’s Statutes from the law library of Abraham Lincoln and William Herndon. Large octavo, 2 volumes, bound in full contemporary calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt. With Herndon’s ownership signature on behalf of the firm to the front pastedown of Vol. I, “A. Lincoln W. Herndon Lincoln & Herndon Springfield”Continue reading "A Compilation of the Statutes of the State of Illinois, of a General Nature, In Force January 1, 1856. Collated with Reference to Decisions of the Supreme Court of Said State, and to Prior Laws Relating to the Same Subject Matter."

Howard, Benjamin C. [Dred Scott]

A Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Opinions of the Judges Thereof, in the Case of Dred Scott versus John H. Sanford.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1857.

Rare first edition of the report of the Dred Scott decision which held that the U.S. Constitution was not intended to include citizenship for African Americans, published simultaneously in Washington D.C. and New York. Octavo, original wrappers with decorative woodcut border, rebacked with added paper spine and rear wrapper. Howes S218; Sabin 33240. In veryContinue reading "A Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Opinions of the Judges Thereof, in the Case of Dred Scott versus John H. Sanford."

Baldwin, A.C.; R.B. Thurston; Timothy Williston

Liberty or Slavery; the Great National Question. Three Prize Essays on American Slavery.

Boston : Congregational Board of Publication, 1857.

First edition of this important collection of three prize-winning antislavery essays published in Boston the same year as the infamous Dred Scott decision. Small octavo, original publisher’s brown gilt- and blind-stamped cloth. Containing Reverend R.B. Thurston’s essay “The Error and the Duty in Regard to Slavery,” Reverend A.C. Baldwin’s essay “Friendly Letters to a ChristianContinue reading "Liberty or Slavery; the Great National Question. Three Prize Essays on American Slavery."

Howard, Benjamin C. [Dred Scott]

A Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Opinions of the Judges Thereof, in the Case of Dred Scott versus John H. Sanford. December Term, 1856.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1857.

Rare first edition of the report of the Dred Scott decision which held that the U.S. Constitution was not intended to include citizenship for African Americans, published simultaneously in Washington D.C. and New York. Octavo, original wrappers with a decorative woodcut border. From the library of Judge Roland Hitchcock and signed by him from Winsted,Continue reading "A Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Opinions of the Judges Thereof, in the Case of Dred Scott versus John H. Sanford. December Term, 1856."

Freeman, Frederick

The History of Cape Cod: The Annals of Barnstable County and of Its Several Towns. Including the District of Mashpee.

Boston : Printed For the Author, 1858-1863.

First edition of the classic history of Cape Cod. Octavo, ten parts as issued bound into four volumes in half morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles to the spine, illustrated with tissue-guarded engravings. In near fine condition.

Sparks, Jared. [George Washington]

The Writings of George Washington Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private.

Boston : Little, Brown, and Company, 1858.

The complete writings of George Washington compiled by Jared Sparks. Large octavo, 12 volumes, uniformly bound in full modern calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt scrolling to the front and rear panels, gilt central Heraldic eagle to eachContinue reading "The Writings of George Washington Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private."

Smythe, J.K

American Civil War Era J. K. Smythe Letter-Books.

1858-63.

Rare collection of American Civil War era letters written by American business magnate J. K. Smythe concerning business between Europe and America during the initial years of the war. Quarto bound into two volumes in half-cloth over pebbled boards by Auguste Bellance of Paris, with marbled endpapers and a paper title label with Smythe’s signatureContinue reading "American Civil War Era J. K. Smythe Letter-Books."

[Smucker, Samuel Mosheim]

The Yankee Slave Driver; or, The Black and White Rivals.

Philadelphia : G.G. Evans, 1858.

Early printing of this early American abolitionist novel set in Louisiana and attributed to Samuel Smucker. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, recased, illustrated. In very good condition. Reinforced interior hinges. Rare.

Dana, Richard Henry

To Cuba and Back.

Boston : Ticknor and Fields, 1859.

First edition of this classic travelogue that reveals the character of pre-Spanish American war Cuba. Octavo, original cloth, gilt titles to the spine. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author, “Rev. John A. Albro with the sincere regards of Richard Henry Dana.” In very good condition, restoration to the crown of the spine. Rare and desirableContinue reading "To Cuba and Back."

Mitchell Jr., S. Augustus

County Map of Florida and Map of South Carolina.

Clerk's Office of the District Court of the U.S. for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 1860.

First edition of Samuel Augustus Mitchell Jr.’s map of the states of Florida and South Carolina, published in Mitchell’s New General Atlas, Containing Maps Of The Various Countries Of The World, Plans Of Cities, Etc. Embraced In Forty-Seven Quarto Maps, Forming A Series Of Seventy-Six Maps And Plans, Together With Valuable Statistical Tables. Philadelphia. OneContinue reading "County Map of Florida and Map of South Carolina."

Lincoln, Abraham

Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen Douglas, In the Celebrated Campaign of 1858, in Illinois.

Columbus : Follett, Foster and Company, 1860.

First edition, first issue of the most famous debates in American history which cemented Lincoln as a national presidential candidate; inscribed by Lincoln in pencil to close friend Martin S. Morris and accompanied by the table from the Morris household that Lincoln signed the book on. Octavo, original cloth stamped in blind. First issue, withContinue reading "Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen Douglas, In the Celebrated Campaign of 1858, in Illinois."

Moore, Thomas

Lalla Rookh: An Oriental Romance. [Fore-edge Painting].

London : Routledge, Warne, & Routledge, 1860.

Finely bound example of Moore’s famous romance. Octavo, bound in full contemporary morocco with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, elaborate gilt ruling and gilt scroll borders to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, decorated with a concealed fore-edge painting. In good condition. Ownership inscription.

Grant, Ulysses S

Collection of documents signed by President Grant and eight members of his presidential administration.

1860-1891.

A collection of eleven letters and documents signed and hand-written by the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, and eight members of his presidential administration. Contents include a printed warrant for the pardon of John and Jerome Whisonant who were held at the Albany Penitentiary in 1874 signed by Grant, an 1860Continue reading "Collection of documents signed by President Grant and eight members of his presidential administration."

11-Star “Stars and Bars” Confederate States of America Flag.

1861.

Rare Civil War era Confederate States of America Flag, in use between July 2 and November 28, 1861 commemorating the admittance of Tennessee and North Carolina into the Confederacy. Cotton, hand-sewn and double-sided. The entire piece measures 36 inches by 50.5 inches. In near fine condition.