Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #114 begins on 11 Apr 2024

AMERICAN BINDING, signed. – John DELAFIELD Jr. (1812-1866).

An Inquiry into the Origin of the Antiquities of America

Published: Burgess, Cincinnati, 1839

Edition: 1st edition

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AMERICAN BINDING, signed. – John DELAFIELD Jr. (1812-1866).

An Inquiry into the Origin of the Antiquities of America. … with an Appendix, containing Notes, and "A View of the Causes of the Superiority of the Men of the Northern Over Those of the Southern Hemisphere." By James Lakey. Cincinnati: published by N.G. Burgess & Co. stereotyped by Glezen and Shepard, 1839. Large quarto (11 ½ x 9 ¾ in; 293 x 248.mm). Pp. [1-] 6 – 142. Ten lithographed plates (5 hand-colored), all drawn on stone by J.A. Cleveland, printed by Louis Samyn of Cinncinati. (Missing the large folding frontispiece [as often], spotting, toning, soiling, two leaves loosely inserted).

Original red morocco by G. Dickinson, covers with decorative borers in gilt and blind, illustrated gilt title vignette [signed ‘Whipple sc.’]at the center of each cover, the upper cover with the binder’s name tooled in gilt ‘G. Dickinson’, spine in seven compartments with semi-raised bands, the bands tooled in gilt and blind, repeat decoration in gilt in each compartment, gilt turn-ins, small green binder’s label to front pastedown ‘G. Dickinson / Book Binder.’ (scuffing and soiling, joints rubbed but generally still solid, a couple of small splits to the upper joint,  corners bumped, endpapers toned and spotted, old adhesive to rear pastedown). Provenance: partially obscured ownership inscription, dated 1843; Sarah E. Harrod (early signature on front free endpaper); Ambassador College  (Pasadena, California, ink stamp to title and rear pastedown. NB. the College closed in 1997).

First edition, Cincinnati issue (the work was also published with a New York/London/ Paris imprint – no priority has been established).  This interesting work is not particularly rare – however, the presence of an American binder’s name on the upper cover, and again on the label at the front, is very rare – if not unique. Howes D229 ("the folding plate is often lacking."); Sabin 19333; Field 509

  • Binding Condition: Acceptable
  • Overall Condition: Acceptable
  • Size: 11 ½ x 9 ¾ in; 293 x 248.mm
  • Sold By: Shadowrock Rare Books
  • Contact Person: Adam Langlands
  • Country: United States
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 001-860-248-1547
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Paypal, US$ checks and wire transfers, major credit cards through paypal
  • Trade Associations: AA Approved


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