May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
227
Marshall's Life of George Washington with an important annotation by James McHenry
MARSHALL, JOHN
The Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Forces, During the War Which Established the Independence of His Country, and First President of the United States. Philadelphia: C.P. Wayne, 1805-1807. First edition, the second impression. Five text volumes plus atlas (dated 1807). The text in American tree calf, the atlas in publisher's roan-backed boards. Text volumes: 8 3/8 x 5 1/2 inches (23.5 x 15 cm); frontispiece portrait (after Gilbert Stuart), xxii, 488, 45; viii, 560, 72; viii, 580, 28; viii, 626, 16; vi, 779, 36 pages. Atlas: 11 x 8 1/2 inches (28 x 22 cm); 10 engraved maps (8 double page), 22 pp. Subscriber's list. Some wear to the bindings, joints a little weak on some volumes but holding, generally a clean, sound copy, bearing the early 19th-century signature of Daniel William McHenry (d. 1814).
A McHenry family copy, this bears an exceptional inscription in volume III (see pp. 473-4) by James McHenry, Washington's secretary and a Signer of the Constitution. The set belonged to his son, Daniel William McHenry, who has signed the first volume. Daniel (who died young, at age 28), married Sophia Hall Ramsay, the daughter of Nathaniel Ramsay (Ramsey). In some 250 words, it details a dramatic moment during the Battle of Monmouth, and the gallantry of Nathaniel Ramsay, her father. By report the copy then came by gift and subsequent descent into the family of James McHenry Boyd, James McHenry's grandson.
The text reads: "I was at Gen. Washington's side, when he gave his orders to Colonels Stewart and Ramsay. General Lee's command were retiring before the British troops, which were pressing close upon them. General Washington arrived at this juncture, contemplated the scene for a few moments, then called to him Col. Stewart and Col. Ramsay, when taking the latter by the hand, Gentlemen,' said he to them, ' I shall depend on your immediate exertions to check with your two regiments the progress of the enemy till lean form the main army.' 'We shall check them,' said Col. Ramsay. These officers performed what they promised. Col. Stewart was early wounded and carried off the field. Col. Ramsay maintained the ground he had taken, till left without troops. In this situation, he engaged in single combat with some British dragoons, nor yielded till cut down by numbers, and left for dead on the field. It may not be superfluous to add, that this important service, which arrested the progress of the British army and gave time to the commander-in-chief to bring up and assign proper positions to the main body, was gratefully remembered on his accession to the Presidency of the U.S.; he appointed Col. Ramsay to the civil office of Marshal, and afterwards to a place of more profit in the Customs." This remarkable account is signed by McHenry.
The scarce atlas volume to this voluminous biography of Washington presents locations of Revolutionary War interest. Howes M317; Sabin 44788.
Please note that the dates of publication are 1805-1807 (note 1804-1807 as originally noted, and thus this is the first edition, second impression.
Sold for $5,760
Estimated at $2,500 - $3,500
Includes Buyer's Premium
MARSHALL, JOHN
The Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Forces, During the War Which Established the Independence of His Country, and First President of the United States. Philadelphia: C.P. Wayne, 1805-1807. First edition, the second impression. Five text volumes plus atlas (dated 1807). The text in American tree calf, the atlas in publisher's roan-backed boards. Text volumes: 8 3/8 x 5 1/2 inches (23.5 x 15 cm); frontispiece portrait (after Gilbert Stuart), xxii, 488, 45; viii, 560, 72; viii, 580, 28; viii, 626, 16; vi, 779, 36 pages. Atlas: 11 x 8 1/2 inches (28 x 22 cm); 10 engraved maps (8 double page), 22 pp. Subscriber's list. Some wear to the bindings, joints a little weak on some volumes but holding, generally a clean, sound copy, bearing the early 19th-century signature of Daniel William McHenry (d. 1814).
A McHenry family copy, this bears an exceptional inscription in volume III (see pp. 473-4) by James McHenry, Washington's secretary and a Signer of the Constitution. The set belonged to his son, Daniel William McHenry, who has signed the first volume. Daniel (who died young, at age 28), married Sophia Hall Ramsay, the daughter of Nathaniel Ramsay (Ramsey). In some 250 words, it details a dramatic moment during the Battle of Monmouth, and the gallantry of Nathaniel Ramsay, her father. By report the copy then came by gift and subsequent descent into the family of James McHenry Boyd, James McHenry's grandson.
The text reads: "I was at Gen. Washington's side, when he gave his orders to Colonels Stewart and Ramsay. General Lee's command were retiring before the British troops, which were pressing close upon them. General Washington arrived at this juncture, contemplated the scene for a few moments, then called to him Col. Stewart and Col. Ramsay, when taking the latter by the hand, Gentlemen,' said he to them, ' I shall depend on your immediate exertions to check with your two regiments the progress of the enemy till lean form the main army.' 'We shall check them,' said Col. Ramsay. These officers performed what they promised. Col. Stewart was early wounded and carried off the field. Col. Ramsay maintained the ground he had taken, till left without troops. In this situation, he engaged in single combat with some British dragoons, nor yielded till cut down by numbers, and left for dead on the field. It may not be superfluous to add, that this important service, which arrested the progress of the British army and gave time to the commander-in-chief to bring up and assign proper positions to the main body, was gratefully remembered on his accession to the Presidency of the U.S.; he appointed Col. Ramsay to the civil office of Marshal, and afterwards to a place of more profit in the Customs." This remarkable account is signed by McHenry.
The scarce atlas volume to this voluminous biography of Washington presents locations of Revolutionary War interest. Howes M317; Sabin 44788.
Please note that the dates of publication are 1805-1807 (note 1804-1807 as originally noted, and thus this is the first edition, second impression.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
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Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
