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Author: Marshall, John
Title: The Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Forces...and First President of the United States
Place Published: London
Publisher:Richard Phillips
Date Published: 1804-07
Description:

xxxvi, 576; viii, 631, [1]; viii, 572; viii, 684; viii, 843, [1]. Portrait frontispiece, 3 views (one a vignette tail-piece) and 9 (of 12) engraved folding maps. (8vo) 20x13 cm (8x5") period half calf and pebbled boards, spine ruled in gilt, leather spine labels lettered in gilt, all edges marbled. First English Edition.

A close friend of Washington and also a principled Federalist, Marshall based his work on records and papers provided to him by the late president's family. Historians have often praised this first serious study of the first President for its accuracy, well-reasoned judgments and inclusion of original source material. Described by Sabin as "indispensable," this first English edition was typeset from manuscripts and published shortly after the Philadelphia first edition and is considered the "best edition" by Howes. Gilbert Stuart's famous portrait of Washington, made known to the British public through this engraved frontispiece, was executed by Royal engraver, James Fittler. The 12 engraved maps depict Boston, New York Island, the engagement on White Plains, New Jersey, the northern wilderness, Rhode Island, Charleston, and the siege of Charleston. This copy lacking map of the Southern Ditto, map of the Northern Provinces of the United States, and the Investment and Attack of York in Virginia. A few other maps/views appear differently than called for in the list of illustrations, but are present. Howes M317. Sabin 44788.

Wear and soiling to bindings with rubbing to extremities, vol. 5 lacking spine title label and with leather seperating from spine; most joints split and hinges cracked, light offsetting to endpapers with abraded areas on front pastedowns where bookplates were removed, scattered foxing, some darkening to textblock, some foxing to engravings and maps, maps with dampstaining and minor creases, chips and tears to edges, interiors solid; good or better.