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  FROM THE LIBRARY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON AT MOUNT VERNON: First edition, presentation copy of Elkanah Watson's Tour in Holland; inscribed by him to George Washington

  [WATSON, Elkanah] [George Washington].

  Tour in Holland in MDCCLXXXIV. By an American.

  Printed at Worcester, Massachusetts: Isaiah Thomas, 1790.

  First edition, presentation copy of a scarce volume from George Washington's library at Mount Vernon. Octavo, bound in full contemporary sheep with pine gilt in six compartments within raised bands, burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, type-ornament title-page vignette, head and tailpieces. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author to George Washington on the front pastedown, "From the Author to General Washington" and further inscribed on the front free endpaper, "New York, Feb. 1798. Sir, Please to accept this small production which has stole its way into the world. If it can beguile one moment of that anxiety which doubtless pervades your paternal mind in the present crisis of our affairs, or will create a smile or amuse you for a single evening, I shall put myself doubly compensated and am with profound respect & gratitude. Your fellow Citizen, E. Watson." Elkanah Watson began his professional career working for businessman John Brown in Providence, and during the American Revolution, he represented the firm in Nantes. After the war he opened his own mercantile firm in London with fellow Freemason François Cossoul. In early 1782, the firm proposed to send to General Washington—likewise a Freemason—"elegant Masonic ornaments" in honor of his "glor...

  Price: $275,000.00     Item Number: 143919

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