History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution. Interpreted with Biographical, Political and Moral Observations (RARE. FIRST EDITION. THREE VOLUME COMPLETE SET.)

Mercy Otis Warren

Published by Printed by Manning and Loring, for E. Larkin, No. 47, Cornhill, 1805

EXTREMELY RARE. FIRST EDITION, 1805. THREE VOLUME COMPLETE SET. Howes W122. (Howes says this is the "first important historical work by an American woman.") Matching hardcover. Bound in full leather, covers are plain with gilt lettering on each spine. Provenance for this very rare, complete set comes from the Burgin House in Mills River, North Carolina - the oldest house standing in that community within Henderson County - where these books miraculously survived a fire. Thirty-one chapters are numbered continuously across all three volumes. On a shelf, these three volumes span 4.5 inches. Volume I: Contains chapters 1-10, and an appendix. xii, 447 pp. The title page is a facsimile reproduction which is tipped in (for Volume I only). Otherwise, pagination is complete. Volume II: Contains chapters 11-20, and an appendix. vii, 412 pp. Missing pages 163 through 178, and pages 409 through 412 of the appendix. Page 308 is mis-printed "208". VOLUME III: Contains chapters 21-31, and an appendix. Indexed. vi, 475 pp. Pagination is complete. ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THIS SET: "Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814) was an American activist poet, playwright, and pamphleteer during the American Revolution. During the years before the Revolution, she had published poems and plays that attacked royal authority in Massachusetts and urged colonists to resist British infringements on colonial rights and liberties. She was married to James Warren, who was likewise heavily active in the independence movement. All of Warren's works were published anonymously until 1790 when she published Poems, Dramatic and Miscellaneous, the first work bearing her name. The book contains eighteen political poems and two plays. The two plays, called 'The Sack of Rome' and 'The Ladies of Castille,' deal with liberty as well as social and moral values that were necessary to the success of the new republic. In 1805, she completed her literary career with a three-volume History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution, which is one of the earliest histories of the American Revolution. President Thomas Jefferson ordered subscriptions for himself and his cabinet and noted his 'anticipation of her truthful account of the last thirty years that will furnish a more instructive lesson to mankind than any equal period known in history.' Reflecting her access to Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, 'it is considered one of the few great comprehensive histories of the Revolution and formative years of the Republic written by a contemporary,' according to biographer Martha J. King. The book's sharp comments on John Adams led to a heated correspondence and a breach in her friendship with Adams, which lasted until 1812. In response to the book Adams fumed in a letter to a mutual friend 'History is not the province of the ladies.'" (Wikipedia). CONDITION: This set is in overall VG- condition. Covers are worn and show discoloration with some warping from exposure to the flames of the fire it escaped. The majority of the pages are present, with the missing few listed within the description of the individual volumes above. Somewhat foxed and heavily, unevenly toned throughout, yet text is legible. Some dampstain within textblocks. Unmarked except for previous owner's names written in dipped ink and pencil, dated 1873. A remarkable, rare set of this, one of the earliest accounts of the American Revolution. At 4 lbs., due to the size and weight of this set, an additional shipping charge may apply. Delivery will arrive with "signature required". Full refund if not satisfied. Seller Inventory # 070703

Bibliographic Details

Title: History of the Rise, Progress and ...
Publisher: Printed by Manning and Loring, for E. Larkin, No. 47, Cornhill
Publication Date: 1805
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good -
Edition: First Edition.