GAYARRÉ, CHARLES Essai Historique sur la Louisiane.
New Orleans: Benjamin Levy, 1830-31. Presentation copy with "Compliments to Dr. Joseph Bauer from the author Charles Gayarré" on the first blank of each volume, and with Bauer's tiny ink monogram on each title. Brown half morocco, marbled sides, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers. 7 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches (19 x 11.5 cm); iv, 5-210, iv pp.; 231, [1], vi pp. Light binding wear, scattered foxing and toning, a sound copy overall. Presentation copy as noted above; offered by Kenneth Nebenzahl, 1961.

This first attempt at a history of New Orleans by Gayarré, who became an authority on Louisiana history, was the author's first published historical work, issued when he was only 25. He penned a revised and far more extensive treatise on the city in 1846-7. This work is based in part on Francois-Xavier Martin's History of Louisiana, 1827-9. Anecdotally it was considered so valuable that by order of the legislature of the State of Louisiana copies were distributed to the various school districts of the state. It is printed by the pioneer New Orleans printer Benjamin Levy. We note no copies at auction, and just this copy at retail, identifiable by its inscription, on Rare Book Hub. See Bertram W. Korn, "Benjamin Levy," Papers of the BSA, 54 (1960), pp. 250-251, items 138 and 140; Checklist American Imprints 1555; Florence Jumonville New Orleans 708, 724.

C The Collection of Jay I. Kislak sold to benefit the Kislak Family Foundation

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