A Fine Collection of American Literature and History

Philadelphia: Printed and Published by C.P. Wayne, 1804-07. In six volumes (including the scarce atlas volume). First edition. Five 8vo volumes and one 4to volume. First volume illustrated with an engraved frontispiece portrait of Washington; atlas volume illustrated with 10 engraved maps (eight double-page), plus the 22-page Subscriber's list. Text volumes bound in contemporary full mottled calf, red morocco spine labels, stamped in gilt, moderately worn and rubbed; all edges trimmed; old ownership signature excised in first, second, and fifth volumes, and partially scratched out in third volume, but not affecting text; heavy foxing to frontispiece portrait; scattered foxing to text in all volumes. Atlas volume bound in quarter tan calf over marbled paper-covered boards, boards and extremities moderately worn and rubbed; all edges trimmed; offsetting and foxing to maps, some tape repairs to versos of same; dampstaining in upper gutter of Subscriber's list; 8vo volumes in cloth slip case. Howes M-317; Sabin 44788

First edition of John Marshall's magisterial biography of George Washington, including the scarce and complete atlas volume. Jared Sparks states that "after the able, accurate and comprehensive work of Chief Justice Marshall, it would be presumptuous to attempt a historical biography of Washington."