IRVING, WASHINGTON | A History of New York, from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty... by Diedrich Knickerbocker. New York and Philadelphia: Inskeep and Bradford; Boston: William M'Ilhenney, and others, 1809

The Property of a Gentleman

IRVING, WASHINGTON

A History of New York, from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty... by Diedrich Knickerbocker. New York and Philadelphia: Inskeep and Bradford; Boston: William M'Ilhenney, and others, 1809

2 volumes, 12mo (6 7/8 x 4 1/8 in.; 173 x 105 mm). Folding engraved plate of New Amsterdam; short splits to folds of map, some foxing and toning, one or two closed marginal tears. Contemporary full brown tree sheep, spines gilt-ruled, morocco labels; rubbed, upper joint of vol. I weak but holding, some expert restoration to joints and spines, erasures and traces of a removed bookplate to vol. II. [With:] Autograph note signed, reading "The autograph of | Washington Irving | Sunnyside July 23rd 1850" laid into vol I. Half blue morocco slipcase and folding chemises.

First edition, the Bradley Martin copy

Irving's A History of New York is often styled the first great book of comic literature written by an American. Although ostensibly concerned with the history of the Dutch occupation, it was also a Federalist critique of Jeffersonian democracy and a satire on pedantry. Later editions, such as the 1824 fourth American included in this lot, were substantially rewritten to emphasize the focal role St. Nicholas played in the Dutch occupation.

REFERENCE:

BAL 10098; Grolier, American 28

PROVENANCE:

Harold Greenhill (bookplates to front pastedown) — John D. Wheeler (signature to title-page of vol. II) — H. Bradley 

Martin (bookplate to chemises; his sale, Sotheby's New York, 31 January 1990, lot 2107)