The Spy Unmasked; Or, Memoirs of Enoch Crosby, Alias Harvey Birch, The Hero of Mr. Cooper's Tale of the Neutral Ground, etc. (1886)

H. L. Barnum; Enoch Crosby

Published by The Fishkill Weekly Times. Fishkill, New York., 1886

About this Item

1886 hardcover by Fishkill Times, New York. Reprint of the 1828 first edition with an "Additional Appendix." I have compared this with the 1828 original and the text is the same while the plates are different. Condition is a mixed bag. At some point this volume was recased using original boards and it was expertly done. Boards show more than the usual stains. Interior is much better: has gift inscription dated 1929 and no other writing. Publisher was newspaper and the materials used are consistent with that. Paper is thin and now slightly brittle. Title page and table of contents both show small closed edge tears. Endpapers and plates are published on a delightful variety of colored papers: endpapers are salmon, plates are on yellow, pink and blue paper. Text is printed in columns like a newspaper article. Binding is tight and was probably resewn. Paginates: blank, (i)-xi, (12)-152, blank, plus frontis and 3 unpaginated plates. Numerous other plates inserted in text. All original, nothing added or missing. Imprint on back blank of: "E. Walker's Son Binders Frankfort & Jacob STS (Streets), N. Y." Edward Walker is relatively famous in the world of bookbinders and a point in favor of this copy. I suspect their shop did the old conservation. The "Additional Appendix" contains stories by Fishkill residents about Revolutionary times and is original material not found elsewhere. Please see images of the volume you will receive. Howes B158. Notes: Apparently Enoch Crosby was a real person. Author Barnum believes James Fenimore Cooper's 'Harvey Birch' character in his 1821 novel "The Spy, A Tale of the Neutral Ground" was about Crosby. Cooper denied it (see OCLC: 58670444). More Notes: Fishkill is where Major Andre was held after his arrest and so that is another point in favor of this edition. Even more notes: Please do not confuse this book with other volumes that have identical or nearly identical titles. These other volumes are directed at a juvenile audience and start with the sentence: "Will you tell me a story this evening, father?" Same subject, different text. Feel free to inquire. Seller Inventory # ABE-1572472940266

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Spy Unmasked; Or, Memoirs of Enoch ...

Publisher: The Fishkill Weekly Times. Fishkill, New York.

Publication Date: 1886

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good