Washington Related
"The Life of George Washington..." Book by M.L. Weems, Inscribed by the Author, published by M Carey Phila. 1819
"The Life of George Washington" by M.L. Weems, also known as the "Book-peddling Parson.", Inscribed by the Author, 22nd Edition, Fine.
22nd Edition of "The Life of George Washington: with Curious Anecdotes Equally Honourable to Himself, and Exemplary to his Young Countrymen." Written by Mason Locke Weems and Published by M[athew] Carey & Son, Philadelphia, 1819. Original Full leather boards, 228 pages (missing original pp 219-220), with full page Seven Engravings (five in text, plus frontis and portrait) of eight called for. Another separate Portrait of George Washington with facsimile signature present but not bound or tipped in.

Originally published in 1800, this was one of the more popular biographies of George Washington and the first that familiarized the nation with the "Cherry Tree Story" and the story of Washington being discovered on his knees in prayer in the snow at Valley Forge. Inscribed at head of title page: "John George Turner / From the author / Dec. 27, 1819." Previous owner's bookplate on front pastedown (E. Donnelly, M.D. / Pittsburgh); on free front endpaper is John George Turner / Smithfield / Spottsylvania / Virginia / Sept. 27th / 1826 / Near Fredericksburg / Thomas Pratt / Smithfield / Near Fredericksburg" plus General George Washington written twice. Front board was detached, but has been professionally repaired with archival tape. Some leather loss at foot of spine. Leaf with pp 219-220 missing; pages provided in photocopy. Several pages with repairs to missing paper. Front endpaper with tears and small paper loss; final endpaper missing about 2/3. Overall light toning with scattered foxing, yet a most presentable copy, currently housed in a modern protective slipcase.
Mason Locke Weems (1759-1825) was known as the "Book-peddling Parson." His biographies were intended to instill a sense of nationalism in the young country. To do that, he tended to build the individuals up to "larger than life." Although he wrote about many founders of the nation, including Francis Marion, Benjamin Franklin and William Penn, it was this volume on George Washington that really caught the attention of the public.