AN EXCEPTIONAL EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED COPY OF FORD'S LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, WITH OVER 250 ADDITIONAL AUTOGRAPHS AND PRINTS, INCLUDING THE SIGNATURES OF TWO SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, BEAUTIFULLY BOUND
(WASHINGTON, George) FORD, Worthington Chauncy. George Washington. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1900. Two volumes extended to four. Large octavo, original full red morocco gilt, gilt centerpieces with Arms of the United States, raised bands, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt. $9000.
Large-paper "Memorial Edition," one of 1250 copies, this copy extended from two volumes to four by the insertion of over 250 autographs, prints, portraits and facsimiles, including the autographs of two signers of the Declaration of Independence, among others. Beautifully bound in full morocco-gilt by Walters.
Worthington Ford, editor of The Writings of George Washington, prepared this new biography of America's first President in honor of the centenary of his death. This handsome two-volume work is accompanied by portraits of the key figures in Washington's career. This set is splendidly enhanced and enlarged with the addition of well-chosen portraits, maps, views, facsimiles, and interesting autographs and documents relating to Washington. Among these are: an autograph invoice signed by Robert Morris and a note signed by Francis Hopkinson, both signers of the Declaration; the signature of John Jay; a war-dated letter from Guy Carleton, British commander-in-chief for part of the Revolutionary War; a 1776 autograph letter signed by James Sterling to Samuel Tucker, president of the New Jersey Congress, a recommendation for a military appointment; autograph letters signed by William Paterson, John Bayard, Elisha Boudinot, and Nathaniel Green; letters signed by Tobias Lear (Washington's secretary), Robert Smith (secretary of the Navy), William Wirt, and Thomas Mifflin; and others.
Autograph material included in set:
Volume I: Benjamin Tallmadge (colonel in Revolution, custodian of Major Andre until his execution)— ALS dated 1815; Robert Morris— Autograph invoice dated 1751 (uncommon early Morris autograph at about 17 years old).
Volume II: Sir Guy Carleton, Lord Dorchester (British commander-in-chief in 1781, succeeding Henry Clinton)— ALS dated 1791; Thomas Mifflin— Note signed, dated 1791, to Clement Biddle; Nathaniel Greene— ALS dated 1782; James Sterling— ALS dated 1776, recommendation for military appointment, to Samuel Tucker, president of New Jersey Congress, recommends James Johnson.
Volume III: Francis Hopkinson— Note signed, dated 1779; William Wirt— Letter signed, dated 1825; Sewall (Chief Justice of Canada?)— Signature; Elisha Boudinot (Revolutionary officer, later Chief Justice of New Jersey)— ALS dated 1802; Tobias Lear (Washington's secretary, consul to Tunis)— Letter signed, dated 1810, to a Mr. Parrish regarding "your amounts for the expenses of yourself and five Indian Chiefs to the seat of government and back to Buffalo"; Robert Smith (secretary of Navy)— Note signed, dated 1801.
Volume IV: John Bayard— ALS dated 1794; John Jay— Clipped signature; William Paterson— ALS dated 1787. This extra-illustrated large-paper set issued the same year as the first edition. Evidence of bookplates.
A magnificent, unique copy, beautifully bound and in fine condition.