American Statesmen

Morse, John T., editor. American Statesmen. Boston & New York: The Riverside Press for Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1898-1900 [1st series]; 1908-1918 [2nd series]

40 volumes, 8vo (8 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.; 215 x 140 mm), including index. Letterpress title pages printed in red and black with publisher's vignette, 178 photogravure plates and 40 pictorial title-pages printed on chine collé, extra-illustrated with 40 original letters and documents of the various statesmen inserted one in each volume; fold separations (most repaired) and scattered stains. Red morocco, two double-fillet borders with gilt-stamped scrollwork frames, central gold-stamped seal of the United States, spine gilt, top edge gilt, dentelles; very slight signs of wear at extremities, heads of five spines chipped.

Acquisition: Ralph Geoffrey Newman

fold separations (most repaired) and scattered stains. Red morocco, two double-fillet borders with gilt-stamped scrollwork frames, central gold-stamped seal of the United States, spine gilt, top edge gilt, dentelles; very slight signs of wear at extremities, heads of five spines chipped.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Limited edition, copy no. 214 of 500 sets, extra-illustrated with 40 original documents written by the statesman discussed in the volume. Only a few sets (probably five or less) of this edition were bound in morocco and contained original documents, of which many were broken up, the letters and documents removed and sold separately.

The original documents are as follows:

Benjamin Franklin. Letter signed, 1 page (8vo), Philadelphia, 16 April 1787, to David Rittenhouse, ordering payment for Arthur St. Clair, President of the Continental Congress. — Samuel Adams. Document signed, 1 page (folio), with signatures of John Cass and Levi Hoyt on verso, witnessing promise of payment to New Hampshire treasury. — Patrick Henry. Document signed, 1785. — George Washington. Letter, signed, 1 page (folio), Head Quarters (Valley Forge, PA), 26 December 1777, to Colonel William Lee Davidson, Heath & Hull; backed with silk. — George Clinton. Autograph letter signed, 1 page (folio), Albany, NY, 14 September 1784, to Major Barber. — John Adams. Printed document with manuscript accomplishment in his hand, 1/4 sheet, 24 July 1764. — Alexander Hamilton. Printed circular letter, signed, 1 page (folio), Treasury Department, 6 February 1792. — Gouverneur Morris. Autograph receipt signed, 1/4 sheet, Morrisania NJ, 12 July 1800. — John Jay. Printed document, countersigned, 1 page (oblong folio), [Albany, NY], 18 December 1795, appointment of lieutenant. — John Marshall. Autograph letter signed, 1 page (4to), no place, 28 February 1833, on the regiments he and his family served in. — Thomas Jefferson. Autograph letter, signed in text, 1 page (8vo), [Paris], 10 May 1785, invitation to Monsieur Rusten for dinner. — James Madison. Autograph thank you note, signed in text, 1/4 page, Montepellier, 5 April 1832, to Mr. Southard. — Albert Gallatin. Letter signed, 1 page (4to), Treasury Department, 17 December 1812, to Governor Meigs, on payment of troops. — James Monroe. Printed land grant on vellum, signed, 1 page (oblong folio), Washington, DC, 29 January 1818. — John Quincy Adams. Printed land grant on vellum, signed, 1 page (oblong folio), Washington, DC, 2 March 1826. — John Randolph. Autograph letter signed, 1 page (8vo), Roanoke, “Tuesday”, to Miss Maria Coleman, thank you note. — Andrew Jackson. Printed land grant on vellum, signed, 1 page (oblong folio), Washington, DC, 7 July 1829. — Martin Van Buren. Document signed, 1 page (4to), Washington, DC, 10 June 1840, forfeiture of the British barque Margaret. — Henry Clay. Autograph letter signed, 1 page (4to), Chantillon between Fredericksburg and Orange C[our]t House, 25 July 1832, to P.R. Kendall, request to check on receipt of a speech. — John J. Crittenden. Autograph letter signed, 1 ½ pages (folio), Washington, DC, 1 January 1847, to J. Blunt, endorsement of Blunt’s published letter on loans. — Daniel Webster. Autograph letter signed, 1 page (8vo), no place or date. — John C. Calhoun. Autograph letter signed, 1 page (folio), Washington, DC, 25 February 1843, to the Senior Class of Princeton College, thanking them for their high regard as expressed in a recently received letter. — Thomas Hart Benton. Autograph letter signed, 1 page (4to), Senate Chamber, 30 June 1840, response to request for autograph. — Lewis Cass. Letter signed, 1 page (folio), Washington, DC, 31 March 1860, to Hamilton Cooper, on the case of William Brodie. — Abraham Lincoln. Note signed on small card, [Washington, DC], 9 March 1865, request to allow woman to visit her husband a prisoner of war. — Edward Everett. Autograph note signed, ½ page, Washington, DC, 6 March 1835. — William H. Seward. Autograph note signed, ¼ page, Washington, DC, 21 June 1852, to Augustus Downing. — Salmon P. Chase. Letter signed, 1 page (8vo) on Treasury Department letterhead, 13 April 1864, to Edwin M. Stanton, cover letter for papers on unseaworthy boats carrying government stores. — Charles Francis Adams. Autograph note signed, 1 page (8vo), Quincy, MA, 6 September 1857, to James G. Woods, supplying signatures requested. — Charles Sumner. Autograph note signed, 1 page (8vo), Senate Chamber, 30 January 1863, to unnamed addressee, requesting him to draw up his ideas in form of a resolution. — Thaddeus Stevens. Autograph note signed, ½ page, Washington, DC, 26 July 1841, to J.R. Ruby, promises to obtain anything of service. — Gideon Welles. Letter signed, 1 page (4to) on Navy Department letterhead, Washington, DC, 22 June 1866, to President [Johnson], request to sign paymaster commission. — Ulysses S. Grant. Printed appointment on vellum, 1 page (oblong folio), Washington, DC, 18 March1873. — John Sherman. Autograph note signed, 1 page (8vo), Senate Chamber, 20 April 1866, wishes to support confirmation. — James Gillespie Blaine. Autograph telegram signed, 1 page (oblong 8vo) on Departmental Telegraph Lines form, House of Representatives, 4 February 1875, to Senator P. Lucky. — Thomas Brackett Reed. Letter signed, 1 page (8vo) on House of Representatives letterhead, Washington, DC, 15 December 1891, to Charles E. Potts, thank you note for print of Washington monument. — John Hay. Note signed, 1 page (8vo) on New York Tribune letterhead, New York, 21 May 1881, to Charles Dudley Warner, thanks for an editorial. — Theodore Roosevelt. Typed letter signed, 1 page (4to) on New York State Executive letterhead, Albany, NY, 3 May 1899, to Cushing Stetson, regrets that he cannot appoint him. — William McKinley. Typed note signed, 1 page (8vo), on personal letterhead, Canton, OH, 27 July 1896, to J. Fred Brisbane, thank you note. — Elihu Root. Typed letter signed, 1 page (4to), on War Department letterhead, Washington, DC, 28 December 1900, to Admiral W. T. Sampson, assurance that a soldier will be mustered out by June.