Skip to content

Life of George Washington

Life of George Washington - 1856

by WASHINGTON George IRVING Washington

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first

Description

1856. (WASHINGTON, George) IRVING, Washington. Life of George Washington. New York: G.P. Putnam, 1856-9. Five volumes. Quarto, contemporary three-quarter navy morocco gilt, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, raised bands, marbled boards, endpapers, and edges. $3500.""Illustrated Edition"" of Irving's well-regarded biography, richly illustrated with over 230 plates, handsomely bound.This ""monumental"" Life of Washington had been planned as early as 1825, but Irving did not complete the biography until the final years of his life. ""His final project, long contemplated, was a five-volume Life of George Washington (1855-59), elaborately researched and agonizingly completed as his health failed. He lived long enough to see the last volume published, dying soon afterward at Sunnyside. The book was designed—incongruously, given its length—for both scholars and average American readers. It tended to reaffirm standard conceptions of the nation's most revered patriot, who, for Irving, was a nearly perfect hero. A country gentleman, a soldier, and a republican, motivated by civic virtue as well as a sense of noblesse oblige, he had served his country disinterestedly, carefully mediating, for instance, while president, between Jeffersonian and Hamiltonian extremes. Irving went to great lengths to make him a less remote, less glacial figure. Ironically, however, most Americans probably read the book, if at all, in abridged versions"" (ANB). ""This triumph of scholarship crowned an erratic career… which served in many ways to consolidate the culture of the U. S. and Europe"" (Hart, 192). ""A popular work; being Irving's it could not be otherwise"" (Sabin 35189). According to Blanck, ""The publication history of this work is involved."" This is the ""Illustrated Edition,"" originally issued in 68 semi-monthly parts, and published a year after the first edition. BAL 10192. Bookplates. Library cards in pockets at rear of volumes.Light foxing to interiors. A near-fine set, handsomely bound.
NZ$5,813.15
NZ$24.91 Shipping to USA
Standard delivery: 7 to 14 days
More Shipping Options
Ships from Bauman Rare Books (Pennsylvania, United States)

Details

  • Title Life of George Washington
  • Author WASHINGTON George IRVING Washington
  • Date 1856
  • Bookseller's Inventory # 127215

About Bauman Rare Books Pennsylvania, United States

Biblio member since 2009
Seller rating: This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.

In business since 1973, Bauman Rare Books now has locations in New York, Philadelphia and Las Vegas.

Terms of Sale:

All items are subject to prior sale. All items are guaranteed as described. Refunds are limited to original purchase price. Items may be returned within 30 days of receipt if unsatisfactory for any reason (please notify us prior to returning, preferably by phone.)

Browse books from Bauman Rare Books