“WHAT WOULD THE HISTORY OF AMERICA BE IF COMMERCE AND MEN OF COMMERCE WERE LEFT OUT?”

HUNT, Freeman. Lives of American Merchants. New York: Office of Hunt's Merchants' Magazine, 1856-1858. Two volumes. Octavo, contemporary three-quarter brown calf, elaborately-gilt decorated spines, raised bands, black and russet morocco spine labels, marbled boards, endpapers and edges. $950.

First edition, featuring biographies of Hancock, John Jacob Astor and many more, featuring 19 elegant steel-engraved portraits of leading American merchants, handsomely bound.

Freeman Hunt was the founder and editor of the first American periodical devoted to commerce. This valuable work includes biographies of John Hancock, John Jacob Astor, Robert Morris, Stephen Girard, Mathew Carey, Samuel Ward and 32 other important figures in the history of American business. Sabin 33851. Howes H801. Contemporary owner inscriptions.

Interiors generally fresh with light scattered foxing, mild rubbing to boards. A near-fine copy.