Description
The Littell copy of Chronicles of Border Warfare by Alexander S. Withers, the first edition, published in 1831. Includes the scarce advertisement leaf by Israel Putnam.
Octavo, 319pp, [1], [advertisement], [1]. Full contemporary calf, title stamped in gilt over red morocco, decorative gilt bands. Contemporary endpapers, bookseller’s advertisement affixed to front free endpaper. Spine rebacked, hinges rebuilt, wear along edges of both boards. From the collection of C.G. Littell, with his label on the front pastedown. Occasional toning throughout, transference to first leaves of Chapter 1, solid text block. This copy lacks the contents page, which was printed later and inserted into some copies.
(Sabin 104928) (Howes W-601aa) (Thomson 1257) (Field 1690)
(Provenance: The Littell Collection, February 6, 1945. Sale #631, lot #1123. Sold again by Sotheby’s in 1981, Lot 284, The William E. Wilson of Indianapolis Collection)
From Streeter: “One of the more circumstantial and gory compilations of Indian warfare.”
From Field 1690: “Having been issued in a remote corner of Northwestern Virginia, and designed principally for a local circulation, almost every copy was read by a country fire-side until scarcely legible…The author took much pains to be authentic, and his chronicles are considered by Western antiquarians, to form the best collection of frontier life and Indian warfare, that has been printed.”
