New York: The Century Co., 1890. In ten volumes. First edition. 8vo. Illustrated with portrait frontispieces in each volume, and numerous plates throughout set. Three-quarter crimson morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, stamped in gilt; top edges gilt, other edges untrimmed; matching marbled endpapers; 1894 Edwin Davis French-designed book-plate of Whitelaw Reid on front paste-down of each volume; gift inscription in blue marker, dated 1975, on front blank of first volume; front hinge of eighth volume worn; front free endpaper of tenth volume separated. Monaghan 1071

A handsome first edition set of Nicolay and Hay's early definitive biography of Abraham Lincoln.

Whitelaw Reid (1837-1912) was an American politician, diplomat, newspaper editor, and author. Born in Cedarville, Ohio, Reid studied at Miami University, and became editor and war correspondent during the Civil War of the Cincinnati Gazette. In 1869 he became managing editor of Horace Greeley's New York Tribune, and took over operations following Greeley's death in 1872, where he greatly expanded the publication's circulation and popularity. An influential Republican, he was appointed ambassador to France by President Benjamin Harrison in 1889, serving in that role until 1892. In that year he became the Republican vice-presidential nominee, but lost to Grover Cleveland and Adlai Stevenson. During the 1890s and early 1900s he served in various diplomatic roles in England, and in 1905 was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt as United States ambassador to the United Kingdom, serving in this role until his death, in 1912. Reid and co-author John Hay were life-long friends, with Reid serving as Hay's best man at his wedding.