[Irving, Washington] | First edition of A History of New York, 1809, the Litchfield copy

The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman

[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 & Bradford; Boston: William M'Ilhenney, and others, 1809

2 volumes, 12mo (179 x 106 mm). Folding engraved plate of New Amsterdam; short splits to folds of map, some foxing and toning. Contemporary mottled calf, spines gilt-ruled, red morocco title-labels; extremities somewhat worn, vol. 1 rebacked with a later title-label, vol. 2 slightly shorter, hinges partially cracked, lacking end-leaf. Each housed in a quarter brown morocco slipcase with chemise. 

First edition, the Litchfield 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, were substantially rewritten to emphasize the focal role St. Nicholas played in the Dutch occupation.

PROVENANCE

Dr. George D. Foulke (early ownership signature in vol.1) — Edward Hubert Litchfield (armorial bookplate to front pastedowns, his sale, Park Bernet, 3-5 December 1951, lot 543) — Clendenin J. Ryan (his sale, Part Bernet, 28-29 October 1958, lot 183) 

REFRENCE

BAL 10098; Grolier 100-28